In the past, the orienteering events I joined were always held at schools, parks, or in mountainous areas. We city kids sought out landscapes and challenges not found in urban settings. But gradually, we ventured farther from home, thinking we already knew our own city inside out. I bet many seasoned orienteers are also constantly yearning to head out to the wild.
Many friends around me recommended the Red Bull Nighttime Urban Orienteering, which is different from traditional orienteering. It flips the script—moving from the wilderness to the city and from daytime to nighttime. Suddenly, my blood was boiling. Nighttime Guangzhou—I’m coming for you!* Then I was reminded of a rather sentimental line: “Searching high and low, only to find what I was looking for in the dimly lit corner.” Can I still call myself a true local if I haven’t truly explored the nightlife of Guangzhou through sports?
I promptly teamed up with my friends and signed up early. This stop was on Shamian Island—a place full of Guangzhou charm. Although I’d strolled around Shamian with my bestie before, aside from admiring European-style architecture and snapping tons of photos, I’d never really taken the time to delve into its history. I couldn’t help but feel a strange surge of emotion welling up inside.
On September 28th, as the lights began to twinkle, my team gathered early and set off for the destination. With the thoughtful reminders from the organizers, feelings of excitement and nervousness started bubbling up.
This style of nighttime urban orienteering is truly appealing to me. As expected, it didn’t disappoint—the event was really great and well worth participating in. Through the activity, we experienced the charm of Guangzhou while also feeling the strength and wisdom of teamwork. More importantly, we discovered another side of Guangzhou’s beauty—“a kind of beauty that is easily overlooked in this fast-paced era.” Lastly, I hope those who are striving for their dreams won’t get too caught up in the hustle to neglect the family, friends, and beautiful scenery around them that you can discover just by slowing down for a moment. These are exactly the reasons why I’ve always loved orienteering.