On September 17, 2017, at an altitude of 2,335 meters, Sumushan Mountain welcomed thousands of athletes from China's Famous Mountains Race. The China Fitness Famous Mountains · Sumushan Mountain Hiking Race was successfully held in the Sumushan Scenic Area of Xinghe County, Inner Mongolia. Representatives from organizing bodies such as the China Mountaineering Association and the China Scenic Spots Association, co-organizers including the Ulanqab Tourism Commission, Ulanqab Sports Bureau, Ulanqab Federation of Industry and Commerce, and the People’s Government of Xinghe County, the executive organizer Xinghe County Sumushan Forest Farm and Xinghe County Sumushan Tourism Co., Ltd., as well as the exclusive operator Shizhi Sports, attended the opening ceremony. In addition, dozens of media reporters and over a thousand athletes gathered at the ceremony to welcome the event.
That morning, the sunshine was brilliant, matching the enthusiasm of more than 1,500 participants from across the country. This was the 29th national event held since the launch of the China Fitness Famous Mountains Race. Since its inception, the race has received continuous attention and strong support from outdoor sports and travel enthusiasts. The event featured three categories: speed climbing, family, and fitness. The speed climbing group attracted many top athletes, and after intense competition, Wang Tao from Gansu and Wang Ting from Inner Mongolia won first place in the men’s and women’s speed climbing categories, respectively. Additionally, the fitness group awarded prizes such as “Best Fashion Award” and “Best Team Award,” allowing the general public to showcase their charm and style through the event platform.
In addition to the competitive aspect, the China Fitness Famous Mountains Race also organized online and offline activities such as “Snap and Win” and “Climb Famous Mountains, Find Hidden Treasures.” These initiatives integrated sports, culture, and tourism, highlighting the natural and cultural characteristics of each host location to the greatest extent. Participants could enjoy fitness and scenic views while also engaging in interactive experiences to learn about local culture, earning widespread participation and praise. At the same time, the event significantly promoted national fitness and encouraged public participation in sports to improve health. During an interview with a family category participant, one parent said: “Sumushan is a very famous scenic area in Ulanqab and even across Inner Mongolia. Bringing my child to compete on the weekend allows us to experience nature, learn about culture, protect the environment, and play fun mini-games. It combines exercise and leisure, and is also very educational for the kids. That’s what makes a fulfilling weekend.”
It is understood that the host site of this event, the Sumushan Scenic Area, is a national AAAA-level tourist attraction and the largest man-made forest farm in Inner Mongolia. Located at the junction of Shanxi, Hebei, and Inner Mongolia, it has a forest coverage rate of 78% and negative oxygen ion levels exceeding 3,800/m³, earning it the reputation of a “paradise for wellness.” With abundant natural resources and a superior ecological environment, autumn is the most beautiful season on Sumushan each year, attracting photography and travel enthusiasts from all over the country.
In the golden autumn of September, the 2017 China Fitness Famous Mountains · Sumushan Mountain Hiking Race provided a sports tourism platform for over a thousand athletes and the public from Inner Mongolia, Shanxi, Hebei, and other regions. By bringing the event to the scenic area, it continues to promote national fitness, expand the influence of the scenic spot, facilitate the transformation and upgrading of regional tourism, and inject new vitality into local development. (Text: Dong Jiawen; Photography: Wang Hongquan, Wang Jiabin)