Lijiang aims to become the 'capital of plateau outdoor sports'

Lijiang in Yunnan province is continuously deepening the integration between sports and tourism. This renowned tourism destination unveiled a three-year action plan in 2023 to leverage its unique resources and offer personalized services tailored for different visitor groups, to establish itself as the "capital of plateau outdoor sports".

By introducing new forms of outdoor sports that reflect the distinctive characteristics of the Yunnan plateau, Lijiang has emerged as a favorite destination of athletes and sports enthusiasts.

"I really like this city. Its climate and natural environment are perfect for athlete training and living," said marathon runner Jiao Anjing, who decided to settle down in Lijiang in 2020 after visiting it for the first time.

Since then, she spends 8 months every year training in the high-altitude environment, which helps enhance her marathon performance and overall physical fitness. Every day in Lijiang, Jiao trains at the foot of the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, running and enjoying the scenery along the way, averaging about 600 kilometers of running per month. In 2024, she secured the championship in the Lijiang Lugu Lake Women's Half Marathon, clocking 1 hour, 26 minutes, and 19 seconds.

"Combining the plateau's geographical environment and ethnic culture, Lijiang is solidifying the outdoor sports sector and actively creating a locally distinctive sports and leisure brand," said Yang Xianjun, deputy director of the Lijiang Education and Sports Bureau.

Lijiang's diverse and complex terrain, characterized by high-altitude mountains, significant altitude variations, and a distinct climate advantage, makes it an ideal location for outdoor sports.

Scenic spots such as the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain and Lake Lashi beside the Ancient Tea Horse Road provide abundant route options for hikers and climbers. Outdoor activities such as high-altitude trekking, mountain biking, rock climbing, off-road driving and horse riding, among others, are flourishing here.

According to Yang, in 2024, Lijiang successfully hosted over 80 sports events, attracting more than 47,000 direct participants and 830,000 spectators.

Capitalizing on its abundant outdoor sports resources, Lijiang is enhancing the aggregation and integration of the outdoor sports industry, promoting a diverse array of outdoor sports activities.

By intertwining elements like hiking, running, cycling, trekking, driving, boating and more, the city is fostering a seamless integration of outdoor sports events with tourism activities.

Attractions here include the Old Town of Lijiang, the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, urban areas, commercial districts, and other densely populated regions, enabling the authorities to promote sports events in scenic spots, urban areas, and the commercial districts.

The city has shifted the competitive stage from traditional sports venues to scenic spots, actively developing new venues where culture, sports, tourism, and commerce are deeply integrated.

Contact the writers at liyingqing@chinadaily.com.cn