Forty international students from the Beijing Institute of Technology (BIT) participated in the Beijing International Mountain Walking Festival 2026 on Sept 13, completing an 18-kilometer mountain walk.

Setting out in the cool morning air, the BIT team moved along the mountain trail as the old villages of western Beijing unfolded one after another — stone courtyard walls, wooden door lintels and swallows' nests tucked under the eaves.

As the path climbed and the views opened up, the students encouraged and looked after one another; those with energy to spare slowed down to wait for their teammates, and the BIT flag flew high at the head of the line throughout.

The 18 kilometers were both a physical challenge and a journey through culture — from the ancient roads of western Beijing to a millennium-old temple, from first meeting as strangers to teammates walking side by side.

Going forward, the BIT International Student Center will continue to broaden the channels of its cultural experience and social practice activities, supporting international students to engage more deeply with life in China and take part in people-to-people exchanges between China and other countries.