Visiting Delegations

 Albi, France Website (in French)

Enschede, The Netherlands Website (in Dutch)

A city of 160,000, Enschede lies 110 miles east of Amsterdam, near the hub of principal routes to all parts of Europe. Since 800 A.D. it has served as a market center for the surrounding area. Historically, Enschede produced textiles and textile machinery; it is now an electronics-manufacturing center and is the home of the University of Twente, an important Dutch scientific institute.

Annual exchanges for high school students began in 1984. At least once a year, graduate students from Twente University include Silicon Valley in study tours to the U.S. and regard their home stays and interaction with Palo Alto families as the tour's highlights. Palo Alto High School's Jazz Band has made two successful trips to Enschede, while a visit by Enschede's men's chorus, De Troubadours, delighted Palo Altans. Visits by adults and former exchange students also strengthen friendships and the Sister City relationship.

Heidelberg, Germany Website (in German)

Heidelberg is home to around 160,000 people, including many young students who come to study at Heidelberg University, the oldest university in Germany. Today it serves as an important university town, as well as a green city with a focus on science and sustainability. In 1984, Heidelberg Technology Park was established as one of the world’s foremost biotechnology centers and now serves as an innovation hub for over 90 companies. In 2015, Heidelberg won the "Global Green City Award" from the United Nations.

Palo Alto and Heidelberg began a Smart Cities Alliance in 2013 with the goal of exchanging ideas and values, especially in the areas of environmental sustainability and innovation-driven economic development. In 2017, a Sister City relationship was officially established between Palo Alto and Heidelberg. Since then, the Heidelberg-Palo Alto Club has worked with Neighbors Abroad to build ties between the cities around commerce and innovation.

Linköping, Sweden Website (in Swedish)

Linköping has a population of around 165,000 and is home to Linköping University, one of the largest academic institutions in Sweden. Linköping has become a center for high-technology industries, including computers, electronics, and aviation. Saab, the only airplane manufacturer in Scandinavia, produces both civilian and military aircraft in Linköping. Linköping officials were the first in Sweden to announce a plan to become carbon neutral by 2025.

Palo Alto and Linköping share a commitment to climate and sustainability, as well as arts and culture. The Linköping Artist-in-Residence program allows a Palo Alto artist to live and work in Linköping with the opportunity to exhibit their art at a local gallery. Moving forward, Palo Alto and Linköping plan to continue their cooperation in diverse areas such as art, education, sustainability, and business development.

Oaxaca, Mexico Website (in Spanish)

Oaxaca has a population of over a million people. The city is located about 350 miles southeast of Mexico City and is the capital of the state of Oaxaca. Some of Mexico's finest pre-Columbian archaeological sites are nearby. Oaxaca's market is noted for its outstanding array of native handicrafts and distinctive black pottery.

Palo Alto and Oaxaca have had an annual student exchange since 1965. Other important projects accomplished by our two cities include the Yaxe Rainwater Capture Project and provision of surplus fire equipment. Our cities are also working together on the Albergue Infantil Josefino, a home for orphaned, abandoned or abused children.

Palo, Leyte, Philippines Website

Palo is an English-speaking city in the province of Leyte with a population of about 76,000. It comprises 33 administrative districts called barangays. Palo's economic base is primarily agricultural, with 98 percent of people depending on their farms for their livelihood. Nearby Red Beach is the site of the 1944 landing of General Douglas MacArthur and the Allied Forces.

Palo is our oldest Sister City relationship, and scholarships and books have long been significant to our partnership. Palo's Children's Library and the innovative Vocational Education Resource Center are both major projects that succeed with the cooperation of our two cities. High-priority ongoing projects include nine college scholarships awarded annually to our Palo Scholars and support of two fulltime Filipina children's librarians.

Tsuchiura, Japan Website (in Japanese)

Tsuchiura is a city of approximately 142,000 residents located about 36 miles northeast of Tokyo. Located in Ibaraki Prefecture, Tsuchiura is situated on the edge of Japan's second largest lake, Lake Kasumigaura. The city is rich in water and natural greenery, particularly their beautiful cherry blossoms. Tsuchiura hosts the the annual Kasumigaura Marathon in early April, which pairs blind runners with sighted runners to create a truly inclusive marathon.

Palo Alto's middle school student exchange program between PAUSD Japanese Language classes and Tsuchiura is one of the hallmarks of our Sister City relationship. Every March, 16 Tsuchiura Junior High School students visit Palo Alto for a week while Palo Alto students visit Tsuchiura in July for two weeks. Many students have established a lasting connection with their Japanese host friends and families.

 Yangpu District, Shanghai, China Website (in Chinese)

Yangpu District is an administrative district in Downtown Shanghai with a population of 1.3 million people. It is home to over 30,000 companies and nearly 7,000 technology enterprises. Known as a university district, Yangpu boasts several top universities such as Fudan University and Tongji University. The district has developed into a technology and innovation center and is a leader in civic sustainability efforts.

Yangpu is Palo Alto's newest Sister City relationship. During a visit to Yangpu District in December 2012, Palo Alto initially entered into a Smart City partnership with Yangpu District for a three-year term focusing on an educational exchange program. In summer 2013, Palo Alto students visited Shanghai through a pilot summer youth program. Likewise, in summer 2016, a delegation from Yangpu District visited Palo Alto, and the Smart City partnership was renewed for another three years.

In February 2018, Palo Alto expanded beyond the existing Smart City partnership by entering into an official Sister City relationship with Yangpu District.

Bloomington, Indiana Website

Bloomington is located in Monroe County in southern Indiana. It is Indiana’s sixth-largest city, with a population of 85,000. Like Palo Alto, Bloomington is a university town and home to many young people: Indiana University and Ivy Tech Community College are both located in Bloomington.

Bloomington boasts a variety of art galleries, museums, and cultural centers. Downtown Bloomington has an active nightlife, sophisticated restaurants, shopping, and many family-friendly activities. One beloved Bloomington event is Food Truck Friday, where a variety of food trucks park at Switchyard Park every Friday from June to October, allowing participants to enjoy food, live music, and other events.

As part of the Sibling City relationship, Palo Alto and Bloomington plan to foster grassroots efforts between established organizations in the two cities, such as the Rotary and Kiwanis Clubs, as well as neighborhood organizations. Other Palo Alto groups intending to form connections with Bloomington include MidPen Media, Canopy, League of Women Voters, Chamber of Commerce, and Gamble Garden Center.

Narok County, Kenya Website

Narok lies on the southwest side of the Rift Valley with a population of about 65,000. It is the last major town on the way to the largest game reserve in Kenya, the Maasai Mara, and thus serves as a hub for tourism and commerce. Narok is also home to the William Ole Ntimama Stadium for association football and stands as a center of education, agriculture, business, and culture.

In 2024, City Council approved a three-year Friendship City relationship between Palo Alto and Narok. Neighbors Abroad and the Oliveseed Foundation have worked to develop libraries, a women's work center, and other educational resources in Narok. Our Friendship City relationship focuses on advancing sustainability and literacy.