Rock climbing refers to ascending rock faces unaided, known in English as “Free Climbing.” This means relying solely on one’s own strength without any external aids to complete the climb. The sport requires individuals to perform a series of thrilling moves—such as turning, pulling up, shifting positions, and even jumping—on rock faces of varying heights and angles. Combining fitness, entertainment, and competition, it is an exhilarating yet graceful extreme sport, often referred to by enthusiasts worldwide as the “ballet on the cliffs.”

Rock climbing is an emerging extreme sport that originated from mountaineering. It began in the Soviet Union in the 1950s when the military started using individual climbing activities as part of their training regimen. By the 1970s, it had evolved into a competitive sport in Europe. Depending on the nature of the competition, it can be divided into two types: difficulty climbing and speed climbing. Based on the venue, it is also categorized into outdoor and indoor climbing.

In the early 1980s, rock climbing was introduced to China from North America, initially mainly as part of the training program for the China Mountaineering Association. It gradually gained popularity among the public. University campuses across the country were among the first to establish mountaineering and rock climbing clubs, followed by young outdoor enthusiasts who spontaneously formed grassroots outdoor clubs. Every weekend or holiday, they would head into the mountains with their backpacks to climb natural rock faces. In 1987, the China Mountaineering Association hosted the first national rock climbing competition, and in December 1993, the first Asian Championships were held in Changchun, China. Since then, the annual national rock climbing championships have become a key event for climbers to exchange techniques and showcase their skills.