Chinese health big data shows that currently, 76% of urban white-collar workers in China are in suboptimal health, nearly 60% are overworked, and the proportion of truly healthy individuals is less than 3%. By 2020, the obese population will reach 325 million, doubling in the next 20 years. The U.S. magazine Health Affairs joked that the speed of waistline expansion and economic growth in China have both become the fastest in the world. Academic pressure is immense, life moves at a rapid pace, workplace competition is fierce, and entrepreneurship is fraught with challenges. These seemingly unavoidable realities of life leave too many people physically and mentally exhausted, stuck in a “suboptimal health state” between wellness and illness. Bodies plagued by insomnia and forgetfulness, souls anxious and restless, all yearn for a sanctuary, a hidden paradise where tired bodies can find joy and restless minds can be at peace.
Recently, the Baquan Tourist Resort in Xinxiang, Henan, hosted a large-scale 2018 Baquan Hidden Gem “Landscape Yoga” showcase event, perfectly illustrating why “Landscape Yoga” has become a symbol of quality living and a healthy lifestyle.
Thousands of yoga enthusiasts practiced together amidst the emerald waters and crimson cliffs of Baquan’s hidden gem, showcasing the collision of natural beauty and graceful movement — a truly spectacular sight. Many netizens and visitors took to social media: “Landscape Yoga — this is what yoga is truly meant to be,” “Yoga showcases the beauty of the body, while landscapes reveal the beauty of nature. This fusion of beauties is the best way for humans to coexist harmoniously with nature,” “Practicing yoga in the midst of mountains and waters allows one to slowly untangle the mind, to be silent in boundless stillness, to feel the heart as solid and steady as a mountain, and as gentle and tranquil as water.” “Surrounded by green hills and clear waters, with a subtle fragrance trailing along, yoga in the landscape is serene and beautiful.”... The passionate discussions among netizens not only ignited enthusiasm for the practice of yoga but also propelled the “Landscape Yoga” Weibo topic to the top of the trending list.
As a rising star in Henan’s landscape tourism, Baquan Scenic Area has long been a focal point of mainstream media coverage. It has appeared multiple times on the covers of CCTV and China National Geography, and has even become an internet-famous destination in the Central Plains region.
This Baquan Hidden Gem “Landscape Yoga” event once again attracted attention from Henan TV, Xinxiang TV, and numerous major online media outlets. During the recent three-day Dragon Boat Festival holiday, the resort welcomed over 60,000 visitors, with self-drive tourist numbers increasing by more than 50% compared to the same period last year. As of June 30, the total number of visitors to Baquan Scenic Area surpassed one million. With the peak summer season approaching, the resort has embarked on another ambitious journey to reach new heights in the second half of the year.
Originating in India, yoga has a history of over 5,000 years and has now become one of the most fashionable forms of exercise globally. Practicing yoga is not only an excellent way to cultivate the body and mind and strengthen physical health, but also the best method to let go of a restless mind and body and return to a state of calm. Thousands of yoga enthusiasts regulated their breathing and sat cross-legged amidst the emerald waters and crimson cliffs. Surrounded by the embrace of a gentle breeze, birdsong, floral scents, flowing springs, and cascading waterfalls, heavy burdens were set down, hidden energies were awakened, and the sense of timelessness and the reality of the present moment naturally brought moments of clarity and enlightenment with every breath in and out.
After the event, one yoga enthusiast described her feelings: “Practicing yoga in the landscape made me feel as if I had become the very air of Baquan’s hidden gem, able to sense every wisp of floral fragrance, every breeze, every rock, and every stream. A deep reverence for nature, a cherished respect for life, a release towards living, and an acceptance of all things arose spontaneously. I will share the story of Baquan’s hidden gem and ‘Landscape Yoga’ with my friends and family, and join other yoga companions to return to Baquan to practice Landscape Yoga again.”
Zhang Haiming, head of the scenic area, told us that in less than four years of operation, Baquan has built a unique IP-based brand image and developed a range of seasonal offerings themed around spring flower appreciation, summer water activities, autumn fun experiences, and winter snow play. In the first half of 2018, Baquan continuously hosted a series of large-scale events including the annual Spring Tulip Blooming Festival, the “Cliffs of the Taihang” Hiking Gathering, the Dragon Boat Festival Classic Literature Recital, and the Fun Dragon Boat Races, allowing visitors to enjoy the area’s breathtaking natural beauty while also engaging in more exciting and interactive activities. This year’s upgraded Baquan Hidden Gem “Landscape Yoga” event presented this lifestyle — which offers modern individuals comfort, tranquility, and mental nurturing — in a more perfect and tangible form at Baquan. In the future, this event will be further integrated as Baquan’s Phase II leisure and resort model matures, with plans to establish an International Yoga Exchange Center, a Traditional Chinese Studies and Meditation Base, and an Eco-Wellness Residential Town atop the red cliffs of Baquan, providing even more exceptional venues and ways for people to pursue a quality and healthy lifestyle.