2024 China-ASEAN Marathon in Guangxi combines sport with scenic beauty

The 2024 China-ASEAN Marathon took place in the port city of Fangchenggang in south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region on Sunday, attracting over 20,000 participants who ran along the picturesque coastal route.

This year's event featured four categories: full marathon, half marathon, fitness run, and fun run. All races started at the Beibu Gulf Marine Culture Park, with runners traversing stunning seaside landscapes and iconic landmarks, including the Fangchenggang Wetland Park and the Egret Park.

The route offered participants a unique opportunity to experience the city's eco-friendly bay scenery.

The event drew many high-caliber athletes from both China and abroad. After over two hours of intense competition, Kenya's Elijan Kipkosgei emerged as the men's full marathon champion, finishing in two hours, 16 minutes, and 25 seconds. The women's full marathon title was claimed by Kenya's Lydia Cheptoo, with a time of two hours, 45 minutes, and 53 seconds.

The men's and women's half marathon victories went to Ethiopia's Minda Tamrat Ayalew and Vietnam's Doan Thu Hang, respectively. "This is the first time for me to participate in the event, and Chinese friends invited us from Vietnam's Quang Ninh province here. I am very happy and excited," said Doan.

"This is my second time to watch the China-ASEAN Marathon. Compared to last year, the atmosphere this year is more heated, and the whole schedule is more intense and exciting. I took some pretty impressive photos which encouraged me and I'm planning to participate in next year's edition," said a spectator named Wu Jun.

The China-ASEAN Marathon has been held successfully for four times since 2017 and is renowned for its unique and scenic course. It is hailed by the China Athletics Association for having the "Most Beautiful Track".

This year, officials from the consulates of six ASEAN countries in Nanning, Guangxi's capital city, were invited to attend the opening ceremony of the event and participate in the races.

2024 China-ASEAN Marathon in Guangxi combines sport with scenic beauty

Northeast China's Heilongjiang Province is feverishly unfolding winter tourism and sports activities, entertaining tourists coming far and wide with its rich ice and snow resources in the wintertime.

In the picturesque China Snow Town Scenic Area, a fairytale winter holiday paradise featuring wooden houses covered by thick snow in mountains, a night running event warmed tourists with enthusiasm on Saturday.

"This is my first time to run marathon in the Snow Town. I feel warm inside and out, and I'm also in a hot mood," said a tourist.

The popular scenic area also held float parades, folk performances and laser shows to further enhance the lively atmosphere. Visitors were also offered with authentic local cuisines.

Winter swimming is an important part of the snow and ice culture in Heilongjiang. Amid plummeting sub-zero temperatures, the enthusiasts in Heihe City have broken through the frozen river to enjoy the daring activity in the chilly water.

"I'm from Fujian Province. I like Heilongjiang very much. The water quality here is really good," said a swimmer.

As the northernmost and easternmost province in China, Heilongjiang has become the most popular ice and snow tourist destination in the country. In 2023, the provincial government carried out a series of measures to activate the cultural tourism market, and introduced high-quality tourism development plans to release tourism consumption potential.

Data from the provincial department of culture and tourism showed that last year Heilongjiang received over 218 million tourists, a year-on-year increase of 85.1 percent, and achieved tourism revenue of 221 billion yuan (about 30.5 billion U.S. dollars), more than a threefold year-on-year increase.

The province has set the goal of receiving over 100 million tourists with tourism revenue exceeding 150 billion yuan in the ice and snow season of 2024.

Ice-snow activities attract Chinese tourists to Heilongjiang