Ancient scholar bridges Yangzhou and Gyeongju through literature works

A citizen views the introduction of Choe Chi-won in front of his statue in Gyeongju, South Korea, Oct. 17, 2025. (Xinhua/Yao Qilin)

BEIJING, Oct. 29 (Xinhua) -- Choe Chi-won, an ancient well-known Korean scholar, pursued study in China's Tang Dynasty (618-907) for many years. He later served as an official in Yangzhou for about four years, leaving behind abundant literature works that earned him reverence as an outstanding pioneer of cultural exchanges.

In 2008, Gyeongju and Yangzhou became sister cities.

Today, the two cities have close exchanges in the fields of culture, tourism, youth and academics.

A tourist views a poetry by Choe Chi-won in Gyeongju, South Korea, Oct. 16, 2025. (Xinhua/Yao Qilin)

This photo taken on Oct. 16, 2025 shows a venue where the descendants of Choe Chi-won hold memorial event every April, in Gyeongju, South Korea. (Xinhua/Yao Qilin)

An aerial drone photo taken on Sept. 21, 2025 shows Daereungwon ancient tomb complex in Gyeongju, South Korea. (Xinhua/Yao Qilin)

Citizens visit "South Korea-China friendship forest" park in Gyeongju, South Korea, Oct. 17, 2025. (Xinhua/Yao Qilin)

Tourists visit an ancient village in Gyeongju, South Korea, Oct. 17, 2025. (Xinhua/Yao Qilin)

A delegation from South Korea visits Memorial Hall of Choe Chi-won in Yangzhou, east China's Jiangsu Province, Oct. 15, 2025. (Xinhua/Li Bo)

A delegation from South Korea holds a memorial ceremony at the Memorial Hall of Choe Chi-won in Yangzhou, east China's Jiangsu Province, Oct. 15, 2025. (Xinhua/Li Bo)

An aerial drone photo taken on Oct. 11, 2025 shows the Memorial Hall of Choe Chi-won in Yangzhou, east China's Jiangsu Province. (Xinhua/Li Bo)

A member of a delegation from South Korea visits Memorial Hall of Choe Chi-won in Yangzhou, east China's Jiangsu Province, Oct. 15, 2025. (Xinhua/Li Bo)

Members of a delegation from South Korea pose for a group photo in front of the statue of Choe Chi-won during a memorial ceremony at the Memorial Hall of Choe Chi-won in Yangzhou, east China's Jiangsu Province, Oct. 15, 2025. (Xinhua/Li Bo)

An aerial drone photo taken on Oct. 11, 2025 shows a view of the Slender West Lake scenic spot in Yangzhou, east China's Jiangsu Province. (Xinhua/Li Bo)