On October 21, the 2018 China Climbing Natural Rock Wall Series – Zhumadian]VYashan Station successfully concluded. During the event, over a hundred high-level climbers from both China and abroad gathered at Suiping County]VYashan Scenic Area to take part in this sporting extravaganza.
The event was jointly organized by the Chinese Mountaineering Association, the Henan Provincial Sports Bureau, and the People’s Government of Zhumadian City, and hosted by the Zhumadian Municipal Education and Sports Bureau and the People’s Government of Suiping County. The exclusive operator was Zhongpan Commerce & Trade (Beijing) Co., Ltd. In full implementation of the national fitness strategy and to build a brand for climbing sports, the Chinese Mountaineering Association launched the China Climbing Natural Rock Wall Series in 2017. This is currently the only national-level natural rock wall climbing competition in China, aiming to enhance the influence of natural rock wall climbing through national competitions and allow more climbing enthusiasts to experience the thrill of scaling natural cliffs.
The competition included men’s and women’s difficulty and speed events on natural rock walls. The climbing routes reached up to 60 meters in height with a difficulty level of 5.11b+, and the rules were based on those of the International Federation of Sport Climbing (IFSC), as formulated by the Chinese Mountaineering Association. The natural rock wall difficulty and speed events used top-rope protection and were divided into preliminary and final rounds. The top twelve male and female athletes received certificates and prize money, while the top three also received trophies, with the male champion taking home a tax-free cash prize of 12,000 RMB — a rare high-level award in previous climbing competitions. The organizing committee also provided participants with excellent accommodation and food, as well as transportation subsidies. The enthusiasm of the organizers and the generous treatment attracted numerous elite domestic climbers. After two days of fierce competition, Qu Changfeng from the 7-Digit Sports Club in Haining, Zhejiang, won the men’s championship with a time of 4 minutes and 21 seconds, while the women’s title went to Huang Weijun from Hunan, who finished in 4 minutes and 53 seconds.
Award Ceremony for Top Three Male Athletes
Award Ceremony for Top Three Female Athletes
Champion Qu Changfeng Completing a Climb
Competition Venue
With climbing successively included in the Olympics, Youth Olympics, Asian Games, and National Games, both Chinese and international climbing sports are entering an unprecedented period of explosive growth. As a significant branch of the sport, natural rock wall climbing — thanks to the unique thrill of ascending in natural environments — is poised for widespread popularity with the support of the Chinese Mountaineering Association and relevant government departments. More and more climbing enthusiasts will join the ranks of natural rock wall climbers.
As the host destination of this competition, Suiping County]VYashan Scenic Area is famed as the birthplace of the legendary culture of Journey to the West. It is also a national 5A-level tourist attraction and a national geopark, boasting one-of-a-kind landforms and beautiful scenery. The area features peaks, oddly-shaped rocks, scenic waters, and mysterious caves, with over 200 lifelike rock formations that have made it world-renowned as the “Chinese Bonsai.” It is recognized as a national geopark, a national forest park, a national standardized demonstration scenic spot, and one of Henan Province’s first civilized scenic areas. It has also served as the main filming location for the CCTV series Journey to the West Sequel and Long March. From December 23 to 25, 2015, the CCTV science and education channel’s program Geographic China aired a special feature titled “Yashan Fantasy.” The Four Seasons Flower Sea Hot Spring Town at the foot of Yashan sees thousands of tulips bloom in spring every year, attracting large numbers of domestic and foreign tourists and appearing on CCTV’s News Broadcast for two consecutive years. The hot spring resort hotel developed on the site of a rare uranium hot spring is also highly popular. In recent years, Yashan Scenic Area has introduced sports events such as mountain marathons and rock climbing, pioneering a new “sports + tourism” model that enriches the tourism offerings, integrates more athletic elements, highlights its unique natural landscape advantages, and promotes diversified tourism economic development and national fitness initiatives.
Zhumadian City, where Yashan Scenic Area is located, has historically been a key transport hub and boasts a rich cultural heritage. Named after the establishment of an imperial post station, it is known as the “Center of the World.” It is the birthplace of Pangu Culture, Liangzhu Culture, Chongyang Culture, Cart Culture, Post Station Culture, Leizu Culture, and Iron-Smelting and Sword-Casting Culture. Zhumadian features beautiful ecology, with mountains, water bodies, plains, and a variety of Central Plains cuisines. Climbers here can not only experience the unique charm of natural rock wall climbing but also enjoy the breathtaking natural scenery of Yashan and the hospitality of the local people.
With the 2018 China Climbing Natural Rock Wall Series – Zhumadian]VYashan Station as a catalyst, the growing climbing atmosphere is set to become a new tourism highlight for Yashan, Suiping County, and even Zhumadian City.