Outdoor sports originally stemmed from mountaineering in the Alpine region in the late 18th century and became popular across Europe and America for nearly two centuries. Later, numerous derived adventure and leisure activities were introduced to China in the 1990s, collectively referred to as outdoor sports. Outdoor sports are not merely a simple form of physical activity, nor are they the traditional Chinese way of traveling. They represent a lifestyle that closely integrates travel, sports, culture, and interpersonal communication. They allow people to temporarily break free from the monotony of social life, experience the charm of nature with a completely relaxed mindset, and return to society with a more positive attitude.
   
    Outdoor sports advocate environmental protection and promote a lifestyle of “nature, health, freedom, and happiness.” They uphold the humanistic spirit of “equality, sincerity, cooperation, and independence.”
  
    The outdoors is not about sports, nor is it about adventure or challenges. It is simply a way of life—an elegant lifestyle and a culture. When you pack your bags and walk through rarely-trodden forests, grasslands, deserts, Gobi deserts, or mountain ranges, or when you stroll alone with your backpack through ancient towns abroad or along uniquely styled streets and alleys, you can feel the pulse of history and the earth.
   
    Outdoor activities include mountaineering, exploration, trekking, hiking, stream tracing, rock climbing, rafting, and more. Hiking and trekking combine mountaineering, exploration, camping, picnicking, and long-distance walking into one comprehensive activity. It requires not only normal physical fitness but also good character, tolerance, cooperation, and strong perseverance.
  
    Outdoor activities uphold the principles of self-reliance, the AA system, and environmental protection. These ideals attract more people to enjoy the outdoors, and the joy they derive from it cannot be measured by money or service value.
  
    Participants in outdoor activities must engage with nature with their whole heart and soul, immersing themselves fully in the embrace of the natural world.
  
    Because of self-reliance, participants in outdoor activities are equals. The outdoors is about relaxing the mind and releasing genuine emotions. It is the anticipation before departure, the experiences along the journey, and the reflections upon return...
  
    Editor’s note: Outdoor sports allow us to feel the weight of life, help lost souls find their way home, and give tired bodies complete release. Why not immerse ourselves in the embrace of nature and fully embrace the vitality between heaven and earth?