"I plan to walk the 5km course and then enjoy some grilled pork belly with friends."
On October 31, the '2026 Second Han River Walking Festival' attracted a diverse crowd, including foreign participants such as Chinese students, at Banpo Hangang Park in Seoul. Students learned about the event through Chinese social media and came with friends, while local residents enjoyed the autumn scenery with family and friends on a weekend morning.
Approximately 2,500 South Koreans and around 500 foreigners participated in the event, totaling over 3,000 attendees. This year's festival aimed to promote a healthy walking culture and create a festive atmosphere that transcends nationalities and generations.
Participants posed for photos against the backdrop of the expansive Han River, capturing the autumn colors. Many took turns photographing each other along the riverside. Notably, the participation of Chinese students was prominent, with promotional posters shared on the Chinese social media platform Xiaohongshu leading to increased attendance.
Chinese student Meng Ao, 22, and Zhi Xuan, 21, also discovered the event through social media. Meng Ao stated, "I plan to jog slowly to complete the 5km course and will enjoy grilled pork belly with friends afterward." He added, "I’m happy to receive a windbreaker as a souvenir and will likely wear it often."
Another Chinese student, Shao Yu, who has been in Korea for four years, attended the event with two friends. Shao Yu mentioned, "I saw the promotional poster on Xiaohongshu and decided to join with my friends. I enjoy walking, so I was interested in this walking festival."
Some foreigners attended the walking festival alone. Emily, 35, who moved to Korea from Shanghai two years ago, said, "I enjoy exercising, which is why I signed up for this event. I like the design of the windbreaker I received as a souvenir. It will be great to wear on windy days like today."
The festival featured participants from various countries and regions, including Japan, China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Macau, Malaysia, Singapore, the United States, Mexico, France, and Italy. Attendees enjoyed the cool autumn breeze while walking along the Han River, each savoring their weekend morning in their own way.
Foreign participants had diverse reasons for attending. From students who learned about the event through social media to fitness enthusiasts, they all gathered at Banpo Hangang Park to relish the autumn atmosphere together.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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