World Pentathlon Athletes Discover the Many Charms of Colorful Guizhou City

On the afternoon of August 22, athletes from around the world competing in this year’s UIPM Pentathlon World Championships visited Colorful Guizhou City. Through this sport-led cultural exchange, they relaxed ahead of competition, experienced Guizhou’s landscapes and living traditions, and gained a closer understanding of both Guizhou and China.

At 6:30 p.m., the sound of Dong Grand Songs filled Drum Tower Square. Performers in traditional ethnic dress welcomed the athletes with Guizhou’s traditional blocking-the-door wine ceremony. Fragrant rice wine and soaring folk melodies offered a warm introduction to the hospitality of Guizhou’s ethnic communities.

The concurrent Chill Power Coffee and Bakery Week featured specialty coffee, baked goods and Guizhou snacks. Athletes explored the food stalls, sampled local flavours and enjoyed a relaxed break from their pre-competition routines.

They later visited the “Intangible Heritage Inspirations” Experience Center, where exhibitions of traditional crafts, cultural creative products and intangible cultural heritage displays formed an immersive cultural corridor. Italian athlete Irene Prampolini said: “Everything here is so charming—friendly, colorful and unforgettable. This is my most genuine impression of Guizhou.” It was her first close encounter with Guizhou’s ethnic cultures, and she captured the experience throughout her visit.

Interactive activities across Colorful Guizhou City brought further energy to the evening. Athletes joined local rock-paper-scissors games, tried roasting Guizhou-style potatoes, and took part in weight-guessing challenges. At the lawn entrance, an energetic Miao anti-row wooden drum dance invited athletes to dance along, as people from different countries came together to the rhythm of the drums. Russian head coach Shuin Sergei described the experience as “fun and international,” praising its strong ethnic character and Chinese cultural atmosphere.

At 8:30 p.m., the Drum Tower complex was illuminated by a vibrant light show, where golden and indigo beams blended with the traditional architecture. Athletes gathered beneath the towers to exchange stories, take photographs and preserve memories of the evening.

The 2026 UIPM Pentathlon World Championships will take place from August 24 to 30 at Huaxi Lake Park in Guiyang’s Huaxi District, featuring fencing, obstacle racing, swimming and laser run.

From competition venues to cultural attractions, the event reflects Guizhou Tourism Group’s commitment to the “Follow the Events to Travel Guizhou” initiative and the growth of inbound tourism. By combining world-class sporting events with high-quality cultural and travel experiences, the Group aims to present Guizhou’s rich ethnic heritage and destination appeal to global audiences, inviting more international visitors to discover—and fall in love with—Colorful Guizhou.