Cycle through the splendor of the west—this wind-breaking journey takes you back to the Ming Dynasty

       On September 19, the 10th edition of the 2019 Tour of China International Road Cycling Race arrived in Anshun, the “Jewel of the West,” where the intense second stage of the second leg—Anshun Circuit Race—kicked off.

For three years now, the people of Anshun have poured their greatest enthusiasm into the Tour of China every time it visits, and this year is no different. The light morning drizzle did nothing to dampen the public’s spirit—locals dressed in ethnic costumes gathered near the starting line early in the day. Through floral floats, traditional Tizi opera performances, and celebratory shows for the 70th anniversary of the founding of New China, they vividly expressed their support for the Party and the nation, their hopes for a happy life, and their warm welcome to the Tour of China.

Anshun boasts a long history, rich culture, and beautiful scenery, and is recognized as an Outstanding Tourism City of China. It has made great efforts in integrating sports with tourism to create a striking city image. In early 2019, the Guizhou Provincial Sports and Tourism Development Center led local and external enterprises in on-site inspections of sports-tourism integration projects at attractions such as Huangguoshu Scenic Area, Baling River Bridge, and Guanling Ice and Snow Town, aiming to promote the development of both sports and tourism.

Anshun’s Xixiu District has hosted the “Tour of China” three times, and each visit has brought something new and amazing to the race. The colorful hues of Hongshan Lake, known as the “City’s Living Room,” the exquisite craftsmanship of the Anshun Wu Temple, the deep historical roots of Old Town Jiuzhou, and many other equally stunning sights have all shone under the spotlight of the Tour of China. Through this sporting event, the district has boosted the development of its tourism industry and achieved a successful integration of sports and tourism sectors. Beyond the Tour of China, Anshun has also actively hosted various large-scale sporting events, such as the “China Rally Championship” and the “Colorful Guizhou” Bicycle League. These events have not only enriched Anshun’s fitness programs for the public but also given a strong boost to the development of its tourism industry, helping to establish a new travel destination brand for the city.

At the Tour of China, there’s more than just “scenic lakes and mountains”—there’s also “cultural heritage.” In this city embraced by the Tour of China, the tourism potential of intangible cultural heritage products is being unearthed through reinvention, expansion, and broader influence. The market-oriented and industrial development of these cultural assets is accelerating, and they have already been successfully integrated with both the tourism and sports industries.