A new year, a fresh start, with everyone taking a step up. On January 1, 2018, the South China Ancient Post Road · 2018 National New Year Hiking Fitness Event (Guangdong Main Venue) and the Guangdong Famous Mountains (Xiqiao Mountain) Mountaineering Competition took place at the Xiqiao Mountain Scenic Area in Nanhai District, Foshan City. Approximately 30,000 participants from across the country — including athletes, hiking enthusiasts, local citizens, and tourists — summited Xiqiao Mountain to celebrate New Year’s Day and welcome the new year.
Xiqiao Mountain Hosts New Year Hiking Event for the Third Consecutive Year
The National New Year Hiking Fitness Event has been held for 22 consecutive years, and this year marks the 23rd edition. The event spans all 31 provinces, municipalities, and autonomous regions across China, with over 100 activity locations. The Xiqiao Mountain Scenic Area in Nanhai District, Foshan City, served as the Guangdong main venue for this year’s National New Year Hiking Fitness Event. This also marks the third consecutive year that Xiqiao Mountain has hosted the New Year Hiking Event since 2016. The event was simultaneously one of the key activities of the 2018 Lingnan Spring Folk Culture Festival in the western three towns of Nanhai District, Foshan City.
The South China Ancient Post Road · 2018 National New Year Hiking Fitness Event (Guangdong Main Venue) and the Guangdong Famous Mountains (Xiqiao Mountain) Mountaineering Competition were organized by the General Administration of Sport of China, and co-hosted by the Mountaineering Sports Management Center of the General Administration of Sport of China, the Chinese Mountaineering Association, and the Guangdong Provincial Sports Bureau. Co-organizers included the Guangdong Provincial Social Sports Center, the Guangdong Outdoor Sports Association, the Guangdong Provincial Sports Lottery Management Center, the Sports Channel of Guangdong Radio and Television, the Nanhai District Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau (Tourism Bureau) of Foshan City, the People’s Government of Xiqiao Town, Nanhai District, Foshan City, and the Xiqiao Mountain Scenic Area Management Office.
Attending the event were distinguished guests and officials including Wang Xiaokang, Deputy Inspector of the Guangdong Provincial Sports Bureau; Zhong Zhijin, Director of the Mass Sports Division of the Guangdong Provincial Sports Bureau; Qian Jianguo, Head of the Department at the Guangdong Provincial Social Sports Center; Chen Deping, Vice President of the Guangdong Outdoor Sports Association; Wu Tingting, Secretary-General of the Guangdong Outdoor Sports Association; Wu Wenge, Deputy Director of the Sports Channel of Guangdong Radio and Television; Li Yan, Standing Committee Member of the Nanhai District Committee of Foshan City; Liang Huayan, Director of the Nanhai District Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau (Tourism Bureau) of Foshan City; Chen Zhaoyi, Deputy Director of the (District) Government Office of Nanhai District, Foshan City; You Yuanrong, Deputy Director of the Nanhai District Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau of Foshan City; Li Runlai, Deputy Secretary of the Xiqiao Town Party Committee; and Wu Xinyu, Party Committee Member of Xiqiao Town.
“The National New Year Hiking Fitness Event (Guangdong Main Venue) and the Guangdong Famous Mountains (Xiqiao Mountain) Mountaineering Competition have been held in Xiqiao Mountain for three consecutive years. Over time, the event has received strong support and active participation from the public and hiking enthusiasts across our province, with its scale and influence growing steadily,” said Wang Xiaokang. He added that the event integrates culture, tourism, and sports, establishing itself as a premium competition at both the provincial and national levels. He expressed hope that the local authorities would continue to expand and strengthen the event, providing the public with high-quality and diverse sports and tourism offerings.
At 9:30 a.m. that day, the starting gun fired, officially beginning the hike. The route of this mountaineering competition was thoughtfully designed, covering approximately 10 kilometers and passing through major scenic spots on Xiqiao Mountain. It featured both picturesque natural landscapes and culturally rich heritage sites. Additionally, timing and service stations were set up at Yunlu Village and the Shiyanyan Parking Lot. The detailed route is as follows: Xiqiao Mountain North Gate Biyu Square (Start) → Donghu Mouth → Shipai Village Footpath → Main Entrance of the South China Guanyin Scenic Area → Grass Skiing Field → Azalea Garden → Peach Blossom Garden → Yunlu Village (4.5 km, Service Checkpoint) → Camellia Garden → Square Bamboo Garden → Square Bamboo Parking Lot → Jiulong Rock → Mushroom Stone → Shiyanyan → Shiyanyan Parking Lot (7.5 km, Service Checkpoint) → Biyun Crossroads → Biyun Hotel Parking Lot → Leafless Well → Cuiyan Scenic Area → Shipai Village Road → Side Gate of Baofeng Temple → Baofeng Temple → South China Guanyin Archway Plaza (10 km, Finish Line)
The Most Beautiful Ten Kilometers
Exercise while enjoying the stunning scenery of Xiqiao Mountain
Sweating through ancient mountain paths, listening to the chirping of birds and insects among bamboo groves and camellia flowers, watching the sunlight of the New Year pierce through layers of leaves and illuminate centuries-old academies and temples, with blooming flowers covering the nearby hillsides and clear streams flowing gently — together they form a beautiful 10-kilometer landscape painting with the blue sky and white clouds.
Participants from across the country, hiking enthusiasts, local citizens, and tourists hiked through the forests of Xiqiao Mountain, ascending while admiring its beautiful scenery. The competition featured both professional and amateur categories, with many local residents from Xiqiao and surrounding towns joining the public group.
Yu Yongchang, a 41-year-old local contestant from Xiqiao, won the championship in the elite group with a time of 56 minutes and 17 seconds. Mr. Yu expressed great pride and support for hosting such a major sporting event in his hometown. He said the entire course was very comfortable, and besides the competition, he was able to fully enjoy the beautiful scenery of Xiqiao Mountain.
In recent years, Nanhai District has been committed to promoting the integrated development of culture, sports, and tourism, focusing on building cultural and sports tourism brands. It has continuously developed a series of branded cultural and sports tourism projects, including the Xiqiao Mountain International Super Marathon, the “Huang Feihong Cup” World Chinese Lion King Competition, the Nanhai Dragon Boat Race Invitation Tournament, and the National New Year Hiking Activity. By enriching travel experiences through branded sports events, showcasing the city’s image, and attracting widespread attention and participation from all sectors of society, the district has achieved a win-win in brand-building for both sports and tourism.
Wu Xinyu, Party Committee Member of Xiqiao Town, noted that through this event, hikers could not only engage in leisurely fitness activities while ascending but also appreciate the historical and cultural scenery along the way. He stated that the 2018 New Year Hiking Activity combined the cultural characteristics of Nanhai Xiqiao with the concept of healthy living through sports. The event encouraged public participation and enjoyment, and he hoped everyone would step into the new year with an optimistic and positive attitude. In recent years, as a renowned town in Lingnan, Xiqiao has hosted events such as the South China Ancient Post Road Orienteering Competition and marathons. In the future, Xiqiao will continue to organize such activities that meet people’s growing needs for a better life.
Xiqiao Mountain is one of the birthplaces of Lingnan culture. This hiking competition is a continuation of the Xiqiao Mountain Mountaineering Races held in 2016 and 2017, which is why this year’s event has garnered even more attention. In the future, Xiqiao will also develop more localized, popular fitness activities that reflect regional cultural features, encouraging more people to get active and embrace a healthy lifestyle.
(Reporters: Mai Yuhao, Zhang Jiayi; Photography: Huang Youqian)