The arena of China's 12th National Traditional Games of Ethnic Minorities, which is taking place in Sanya City of south China's Hainan Province, has served as a platform for the promotion of indigenous sports and exchanges among athletes from different ethnic groups.
The Games runs from Nov 22 to 30, with approximately 10,000 athletes representing China's 56 ethnic groups gathering on this tropical island to compete in 17 sports, 139 events, and three demonstration sports.
One of the sports is coconut tree climbing, which originated in Hainan. The competition is attended by 12 team from various ethnic groups, including a team from Hainan, which initiated the competition and comprise three male and three female athletes.
Xing Xinxin, a 30-year-old climber from the Li ethnic group in Hainan, said she started climbing coconut trees at the age of nine and is very excited that this childhood hobby has become part of a national-level sports event.
"I have no problem climbing trees since I was a child. It's very happy to get the coconuts. We would go outside the village in groups with friends at the same age to pick coconuts. It's a very fun activity that can bring everyone together," Xing said.
Before the competition, coach of Shanghai's coconut tree climbing team Xie Bin took his six members to the venue to conduct some adaptive training and consult the Hainan team.
"This is the origin of the sport, so of course we want to come here and communicate with local friends. We are grateful to the Hainan team. They have taught us without any reservation," said Xie Bin, coach of Shanghai coconut tree climbing team.
"People are interested in this sport and want to be part of it. This is beneficial for promoting the sport," said Fu Mingzhi, deputy director of Cultural and Educational Promotion Department of the Ethnic Affairs Commission of Hainan Province.
"Many ethnic groups are participating in the competition together. This enthusiasm is more important than the result of the competition. The wonderful contacts are of very positive significance to cultural integration and communication among different ethnic groups," Xie said.
China's Ethnic Minorities Games promotes indigenous sports, ethnic exchanges
China's Ethnic Minorities Games promotes indigenous sports, ethnic exchanges
As ski resorts have begun opening in northern China, ski enthusiasts are starting to head to ski resorts for winter fun and scenery.
The city of Zhangjiakou, a top destination for skiing in the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region which hosted most snow events of the Beijing 2022 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games, has witnessed a huge influx of tourists since its ski resorts opened recently.
The eight ski resorts in Zhangjiakou's Chongli District have a combination of over 160 kilometers of ski slopes, providing a great experience on snow for all levels of ski enthusiasts.
"I learned front blade skills in a couple of days. Yesterday I even gave it a go on black slopes. It was just a great experience overall," said a tourist.
Chongli's Genting Resort, which opened just on Wednesday, saw its 3,500 guest rooms fully booked for the weekend. The Thaiwoo resort saw visitor numbers surging to 10,000 per day in less than two weeks. Resorts are also introducing new activities such as jetski snow rides and cross-country skiing to create a colorful experience.
"I came back from America just to ski here. It's got a complete set of facilities and services – got good accommodation and food, and shuttles for pickup," said a tourist.
In Inner Mongolia's Genhe, a city known as 'the coldest place in China', it is the reindeer that draw visitors from all over the country to visit the snowy winter wonderland.
The local Aoluguya Ewenki people, known as "the last hunting tribe in China," is the only ethnic minority group in China that raises reindeer. Interacting with reindeer and experiencing the Ewenki culture while surrounded by snow-covered forests make a memorable vacation experience for visitors,particularly for those who come from the warmer south.
"So many reindeer and small animals. We also stayed in Cuoluozi (Ewenki tikis) and Mongolian yurts. That was a great experience for me," said a visitor.
Genhe's tourism sector has been developing its snow economy with focus on the city's unique natural resources and ethnic culture. The city has welcomed about 80,000 visitors since October, bringing in 150 million yuan (20.7 million in U.S. dollars) of tourism revenue.
"To accommodate tourism demands, our park is consistently perfecting our services and facilities. This year we introduced new dinning choices, such as Cuoluozi barbeque, Cuoluozi hotpot and bonfire tea. We also readied reindeer sleighs and snowbikes for tourists," said Zhao Geng, a scenic area staff member.
Ski resorts open in northern China, attracting ski enthusiasts for winter fun, scenery
