Climb high to bid farewell to the old year and start the new one with a healthier lifestyle. On January 1, 2024, the “China Sports Lottery” 2024 National New Year Climbing Carnival was held at its main venue in Jianglang Mountain Scenic Area, Jiangshan, Zhejiang Province.

Liu Guoyong, Deputy Director of the General Administration of Sport of China, announced the opening of the event, and Zheng Yao, Director of the Sport Bureau of Zhejiang Province, delivered a speech. Attendees of the opening ceremony include Ding Dong, Director of the Sport for All Department of the General Administration of Sport of China; Han Jianguo, Director of the Mountaineering Management Center of the General Administration of Sport of China; Zhang Chi, Director of the Sports Lottery Management Center of the General Administration of Sport of China; Li Zhixin, Chairman of the Chinese Mountaineering Association; Liu Junzhu, Deputy Director of the General Office of the General Administration of Sport of China; Hu Guoping, Deputy Director of the Sport Bureau of Zhejiang Province; Liao Hongyu, Deputy Director of the Sport Bureau of Zhejiang Province; Li Ning, Vice Mayor of Quzhou Municipal People’s Government; Zhu Sufang, Secretary of the CPC Jiangshan Municipal Committee; Jiang Yuyuan and Guan Chenchen, Olympic champions of gymnastics; Zhong Qixin, world champion of sport climbing, and other guests.

Jiangshan ushered in the Year of the Dragon in an atmosphere of excitement. As the starting pistol went off, more than 10,000 climbers set out from the Jianglang Mountain Scenic Area. They climbed towards the mountain top to pray for new year blessings. Every stair they took embodied their good wish of getting fit, making progress every day, and creating a better life together.

Dubbed as the “No. 1 Competition”, climbing on New Year’s Day has long been a way for Chinese people to pray for new year blessings and keep healthy. The event is a traditional national fitness activity sponsored by the General Administration of Sport of China and has been held annually on New Year’s Day across the country since 1996. Jiangshan has hosted the activity eight times and served as the only main venue many times. Apart from the main venue in Jianglang Mountain, the event this year was held simultaneously in over 300 places, covering 31 provinces and municipalities, including Heshuo (Xinjiang), Baoting (Hainan), Hailin (Heilongjiang), and Zhangjiajie (Hunan). Nearly one million participants climbed high to welcome the arrival of the new year.

The Olympic champion Jiang Yuyuan also came to send new year greetings to the public and sports athletes, and call on more to join sports in the new year.

“The year 2024 is an important year for athletes.” Jiang Yuyuan said that as the Paris Olympic Games draws nearer, she hopes that the Chinese athletes will redouble their efforts in training, stay away from injuries, fight hard both with style and skills, and perform their best at the Games.

“I’m so excited to be part of today’s event. We are immersed in the atmosphere of the New Year.” Xie Anhuan, from Shanghai, participated in the climbing activity with his family. He said that he has long been interested in this event and finally has the opportunity to participate this year. “I love running and I want to participate in a half marathon in 2024. The New Year climbing event held in Jiangshan marks a new start for my sports lifestyle.”

Like Xie Anhuan, those who came to the scene were all energized by the warm and passionate atmosphere of sports. On the way to the main venue, folk dances and special snacks displayed unique cultural heritage of Jiangshan. Line dance, Tai Chi, roliball, dragon and lion dances revealed the charm of sports.

The “foodie fair” and “healthy lifestyle stalls” set at the event introduced some leisure sports and health products with Jiangshan characteristics to the public. By presenting the unique charm of a sports-friendly Jiangshan, the event showcased a brand new Jiangshan to fitness enthusiasts from all over China. It is reported that this event has boosted consumption by about 1.5 million yuan through the activities of climbing and fitness demonstration.

In recent years, Jiangshan has been advancing the integrated development of “towns and villages with scenic spots” across the city, which further extends the catalogue of ecological and sports-oriented tourism products and promotes the interplay of “sports plus tourism”. As of December 2023, Jiangshan has built a total length of 245 kilometers of fitness greenways, established seven sports-themed towns and 28 sports-themed villages. Jiangshan will strive to build over six venues for mountain outdoor sports and three water-based tourist spots by 2025. At the same time, Jiangshan will launch the promotional activity of “Free Tickets to Scenic Spots in Jiangshan” during various events, attracting more people to Jiangshan for sports activities. Officials of relevant authorities in Jiangshan said that these fitness activities are expected to improve people’s livelihoods, make them feel happier, and further deepen the integration of fitness, health, and all-for-one tourism.