You're Invited to Conquer the Heights
—— The First Stop of the 2019 China Natural Rock Climbing Series in Mashan
On May 25, the highly anticipated first stop of the 2019 China Natural Rock Climbing Series — the Mashan Station in Guangxi — will be held in the small Guangxi city of Mashan; it will also mark the launch ceremony of the 2019 China-ASEAN Mountain Outdoor Sports Tourism Conference. The event is jointly organized by the Chinese Mountaineering Association, the Sports Bureau of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, and the Department of Culture and Tourism of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, and hosted by the Nanning Sports Bureau, Nanning Bureau of Culture, Radio, Television and Tourism, the CPC Mashan County Committee, the People’s Government of Mashan County, and Beijing Guoao Zhongjian Sports Development Co., Ltd. It is exclusively operated by Zhongpan Commerce & Trade (Beijing) Co., Ltd.
Mashan County in Nanning, Guangxi, boasts unique karst landforms with an exceptionally diverse range of natural rock walls and well-preserved ecological surroundings, earning it the title of “climbing mecca” among outdoor enthusiasts both in China and abroad. Capitalizing on these natural advantages, the development of a distinctive climbing sports town has brought about a “mountain village transformation” and established the “sports + tourism + poverty alleviation” model unique to Mashan.
In recent years, the area has hosted classic outdoor competitions such as the 2017 China Climbing Elite Challenge and the 2018 Climbing Masters. The nation’s top-tier elite route-setting team, led by world climbing champion Zhong Qixin and international route-setter Xie Weicheng, has developed over 500 natural rock climbing routes of varying difficulty levels in the region.
Starting in 2017, the Chinese Mountaineering Association launched the China Natural Rock Climbing Series. It is currently the only national-level competition for natural rock climbing in China. Over the past two years, the series has enabled many professional climbers and enthusiasts to experience the charm and joy of climbing natural rock faces, attracting more people to take up the sport. A large number of outstanding athletes have emerged from the competitions, promoting mass participation and sustainable development in Chinese climbing.
The 2019 China Natural Rock Climbing Series (Mashan, Guangxi) is divided into two main categories: Adult Difficulty & Speed and Youth Difficulty & Speed, featuring six groups: Men’s and Women’s Adult divisions, Youth Group A Boys and Girls (ages 13–15), and Youth Group B Boys and Girls (ages 10–13). The competition rules follow those of the International Federation of Sport Climbing (IFSC), as formulated by the Chinese Mountaineering Association. The Natural Rock Wall Difficulty & Speed events use top-rope protection and consist of preliminary and final rounds. Both domestic and international climbing enthusiasts can register directly on the official website http://www.cmaol.com. Registration closes at 12:00 noon on May 21 or when all slots are filled.
Natural rock climbing is widely regarded as one of the best ways for humans to connect with and experience nature, often described as “ballet on the cliffs.” Outside of competition settings, the biggest challenge to tackling natural rock walls is safety. As a leading national-level climbing event, the China Natural Rock Climbing Series allows athletes to experience both the challenge of scaling high-difficulty routes and the absolute sense of security provided by a comprehensive safety system. Moreover, top athletes have the opportunity to win attractive prize money.
The total prize pool for the 2019 China Natural Rock Climbing Series (Mashan, Guangxi) amounts to 88,000 RMB (after tax), awarded to the top twelve male and female finishers in the adult divisions, making it one of the most competitive in climbing competitions. To encourage newcomers, athletes who achieved top three placements in individual or all-around events in age groups U11 and above at the 2018 National Youth Climbing Championships, the National Youth U-Series Climbing League qualifiers and finals, or the National Climbing Hope Stars Finals, are eligible to compete in the adult divisions.
From May 25 to 26, in addition to the competition, athletes can also take part in the 2019 China-ASEAN Mountain Outdoor Sports Tourism Conference, enjoying exciting performances by the Zhuang ethnic folk performance troupe and trying out outdoor activities such as orienteering on the rock field, combat archery, bubble football, rafting on the Sanjia River, and fun pioneer climbing.
This passionate summer, in Mashan, Guangxi, on the natural rock walls — we’re waiting for you to rise to the challenge !