Discover 11 International Treasures That Are San Antonio’s Sister Cities

There’s a lot to love about San Antonio, Texas, from its fusion of cultures and Tex Mex food to its historical sites remembering the Battle of the Alamo. San Antonio was founded over 300 years ago, and since then it has grown into the seventh-largest city in the United States.

San Antonio is known for its biotech companies and healthcare systems, as well as its cybersecurity. Several aviation and aerospace corporations are present in San Antonio.

There are also military bases such as Fort Sam Houston. Over the years San Antonio has developed sister city relationships with a number of countries. Let’s explore these international treasures and their relationship with the Alamo City.

What Is a Sister City?

A sister city is a general long-term partnership between two communities in two different countries, according to San Antonio (.gov). These communities are officially recognized after the highest elected or appointed official from both communities signs an agreement to become sister cities.

The Sister Cities International (SCI) program began shortly after World War II with the hopes of establishing productive relationships through global community partnerships and volunteer action. A city can have multiple sister cities and San Antonio, TX has 11 in total!

1. Monterrey, Nuevo Leon, Mexico 

Monterrey was established as a sister city to San Antonio in 1953. It was the first Mexican city to have a sister city in the United States. Over the years, Monterrey earned the nickname the “Industrial Heart of Mexico,” thanks to its over 13,000 manufacturers.

While Monterrey is Mexico’s main hub of industrial activity, that’s not all the city has to offer. Monterrey is actually the second largest city in Mexico, located in the foothills of the Sierra Madre Oriental mountain range.

Outdoor lovers in Monterrey will appreciate the Cumbres de Monterrey National Park which features miles of trails ranging in difficulty, along with spectacular views and opportunities to observe wildlife. Other can’t-miss attractions include the Garcia Caves and several museums showcasing art and history.

2. Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico 

Guadalajara and San Antonio formed a sister city relationship in 1974. The city has a rich history and a number of stunning historical monuments and architectural wonders, such as the Arcos de Guadalajara, which welcomes those arriving in the city.

In recent years Guadalajara has also experienced economic growth, thanks to a boom in manufacturing and an increase in foreign investment. The city also contains a number of information technology, innovation, and services companies, earning it the nickname the “Silicon Valley” of Mexico.

3. Las Palmas, Canary Islands, Spain

Spain’s Canary Islands are known for their wonderful weather and beautiful landscapes, complete with rugged volcanoes and white sand beaches. The Canary Islands are made up of seven main islands. Las Palmas lies within Gran Canaria and serves as the island’s capital.

Las Palmas was established as a sister city to San Antonio in 1975. It is a major tourist attraction and the largest city in the Canary Islands in terms of population. Las Palmas offers a magical experience for tourists, but the city is also associated with industries such as textiles, apparel, food and beverages, manufacturing, and chemical production.

In 1999 the Canary Islands Government established a trade office in San Antonio which continues to coordinate academic, cultural, and trade relations between the two cities. San Antonio is also home to the Canary Islanders Descendants Association — a lineage society that honors and promotes the impact of Texans’ ancestors from the Canary Islands.

4. Gwangju, South Korea 

In 1981, Gwangju, South Korea became San Antonio’s fourth sister city. The city is a major cultural and artistic center and holds a number of remnants of the Paekje culture and the Chosun period. The city also holds the Mudeungsan Jeungsimsa Temple located at the foothills of Mudeungsan Mountain Park.

Gwanju has a successful economy that contributes to South Korea’s overall growth and integration of the high-tech industry. The city is home to a number of industrial parks, offering incentives for foreign companies considering establishing a base in South Korea.

In 2010 Gwangju presented San Antonio with a Korean pagoda which currently resides in Denman Estate Park. The small public park includes duck ponds and picnic tables near the pagoda. The monument was hand-built in Gwangju, and Korean craftsmen traveled to San Antonio to assemble it, according to San Antonio (.gov).

5. Kaohsiung, Taiwan 

San Antonio and Kaohsiung became sister cities in 1982. Kaohsiung is the second largest city in Taiwan, as well as its largest industrial center. The city serves as a major industrial port and is a major center for manufacturing, refining, and transportation.

Kaohsiung is also home to one of the best deep-sea fishing industries in the world and is sometimes known as “Taiwan’s Maritime Capital.” It features the iconic Dragon and Tiger Pagodas temple located above located at Lotus Lake

An incredible attraction in Kaohsiung known as the Pier 2 Art Center started out as an abandoned warehouse during Kaohsiung’s shift from an industrial city to a service city. Today it hosts a number of murals and art installations open to the general public.

6. Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Canary Islands, Spain 

San Antonio gained its second sister city in the Canary Islands in 1983. Santa Cruz is a beautiful port city on Tenerife Island in Spain. The city’s mild weather, beautiful natural landscapes, and friendly inhabitants make it a popular tourist destination.

One of Santa Cruz’s most popular spots for visitors is the Adán Martín Tenerife Auditorium — an iconic building that serves as the headquarters for the prestigious Tenerife Symphony Orchestra and hosts a number of musical events.

Today, trade, tourism, import-export, and the seaport are very important to Santa Cruz’s economy. Tourism has also sparked an increase in the building sector and a need for more construction workers.

7. Kumamoto, Japan 

Kumamoto, Japan is a city filled to the brim with historical and cultural sites. During the Shokuhō period, a daimyō named Katō Kiyomasa built Kumamoto Castle, which was considered impenetrable during his time. Kumamoto Castle remains to this day and is a prime example of how the city’s arts and culture programs contribute to understanding.

Kumamoto and San Antonio became sister cities in 1987 and displayed their friendly relationships with an exchange of gifts, among other things. The Kumamoto En at the San Antonio Botanical Center first opened in 1989, after Kumamoto sent living national treasures to its sister city. In return, San Antonio gifted an authentic 19th-century prairie cabin to Kumamoto’s Botanical Center.

8. Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India

Chennai lies on the Bay of Bengal in southern India and is one of the fastest-growing industrial cities in a variety of sectors. It became San Antonio’s eighth sister city in 2009.

The city is home to a number of offshore technology and renewable energy research institutions. Software exports from Chennai are at an all-time high and the large number of auto manufacturers in the city have given it the nickname, the “Detroit of India.”

Since 2009 San Antonio has hosted the annual Diwali “Festival of Lights” to celebrate its sister city relationship with Chennai, according to Visit San Antonio. The festival features traditional Indian dance, food, and entertainment, as well as merchant booths from various parts of India.

9. Wuxi, Jiangsu Province, China

Wuxi is located in eastern China, in the Jiangsu Province along the Yangtze River. The city is a thriving economic center, with its modern economy focused on exporting rice, silk, and textiles. It established its sister city relationship with San Antonio in 2012.

Wuxi also attracts a number of tourists thanks to the number of canals crisscrossing the city, as well as its parks and gardens. The city has even earned the nicknames “Little Shanghai” and “Pearl of Lake Tai.” 

Some of Wuxi’s sites worth visiting include the Shanjuan Cave and Wuxi Museum. The Grand Buddha at Ling Shan is an incredible sight to behold. The statue stands at over 88 meters (289 ft) in total height.

10. Windhoek, Namibia 

Windhoek is the capital of the Republic of Namibia and became a sister city to San Antonio in 2016. The city is known for a number of impressive feats. It is the main commercial center in Namibia and offers a wide range of investment opportunities, especially in the industrial development sector.

Windhoek contains a convenient road and rail network and is the only city in Africa that recycles water. It has also been dubbed the “Cleanest City in Africa” perhaps because of an entrenched “culture of cleanliness,” writes Rosa Luxemburg Stiftung.

However, Windhoek’s attractions aren’t just industrial. The city is nestled in the Khomas Highland plateau area in the heart of Namibia. There are opportunities to experience wildlife at the Naankuse Wildlife Sanctuary or even have lunch beside a giraffe at the Voigtland Guesthouse.

11. Darmstadt, Germany

Finally, San Antonio’s most recent sister city was established in 2017 with Darmstadt, Germany. The city features a thriving start-up industry. It is a high-tech hub known for its technical university and important activities in spacecraft operations, IT, biotech, telecommunications, and more.

Additionally, Darmstadt is Germany’s number one city for cybersecurity and features a number of acclaimed universities. Darmstadt is a perfect city for deep thinkers and those looking to appreciate science, art, and literature. The city has even earned the nickname “Wissenschaftstadt”, or “City of Science.”

Summary of San Antonio’s Sister Cities