On September 16, the "Eco-Zhenjiang · Outdoor Paradise" 2017 China Outdoor Fitness and Leisure Conference—Zhenjiang Station grandly opened. The event was hosted by the Mountaineering Sports Management Center of the General Administration of Sport of China, the Chinese Mountaineering Association, the Jiangsu Provincial Sports Bureau, and the Zhenjiang Municipal People's Government, guided by the Jiangsu Provincial Tourism Bureau, and organized by the Dantu District People's Government of Zhenjiang, the Zhenjiang Municipal Sports Bureau, the Zhenjiang Municipal Tourism Development Commission, the Zhenjiang Cultural, Radio, Television and Mass Media Group, the Zhenjiang Sanshan Nanshan Management Committee, and the Zhenjiang Ethnic and Religious Affairs Bureau. It was operated and promoted by Yufeng Sports and Chuanglian Sports. The opening ceremony gathered over ten thousand fitness enthusiasts, hikers, and spectators.
The conference featured three competitive events: the International Urban Balance Master Challenge (a televised event), a hiking trek, and a 12-hour certified cycling race. There were also experience-based activities such as interactions between international balance masters and the public, a music tent festival, and a carnival, alongside local specialty programs like eco-agriculture experiences. The conference promoted connecting with nature and mass participation, fostering the integrated development of local sports and tourism.
At 8:45 am, the opening ceremony of the 2017 China Outdoor Fitness and Leisure Conference (Zhenjiang Station) was held ceremoniously on Shiyezhou in Dantu District, Zhenjiang. Attendees included Wu Qi, former head of the Discipline Inspection Group of the General Administration of Sport of China, Vice Chairman of the Chinese Olympic Committee, and current Chairman of the China Sports Foundation; Li Zhixin, Director of the Mountaineering Sports Management Center of the General Administration of Sport of China and Chairman of the Chinese Mountaineering Association; Ding Xianghua, Head of the Business Development Department of the Mountaineering Sports Management Center; Li Guowei, Director of the Rock Climbing and Ice Climbing Department; Chen Gang, Director of the Jiangsu Provincial Sports Bureau; Wang Zhiguang, Deputy Director of the Jiangsu Provincial Sports Bureau; Xiong Wei, Head of the Mass Sports Division; Ye Lingbo, Head of the Promotion Division of the Jiangsu Provincial Tourism Bureau; Wang Feng, Director of the Sports Industry Guidance Center; Cao Yin, Member of the Standing Committee of the Zhenjiang Municipal Party Committee and Commander of the Zhenjiang Military Sub-district; Sun Xiaonan, Vice Mayor of the Zhenjiang Municipal Government; Qi Yaxin, Director of the Zhenjiang Municipal Sports Bureau; Zhang Yingqiao, Secretary of the Dantu District Committee of Zhenjiang; Zhang Biao, Chairman of Hunan Yufeng Sports Culture Co., Ltd.; Xu Zilin, Chairman of Jiangsu Chuanglian Sports Service Co., Ltd.; and other related leaders.
Qi Yaxin, Director of the Zhenjiang Municipal Sports Bureau, presided over the opening ceremony. Speeches were given by Sun Xiaonan, Vice Mayor of the Zhenjiang Municipal Government, Wang Zhiguang, Deputy Director of the Jiangsu Provincial Sports Bureau, and Li Zhixin, Director of the Mountaineering Sports Management Center of the General Administration of Sport of China and Chairman of the Chinese Mountaineering Association. Wu Qi, former head of the Discipline Inspection Group of the General Administration of Sport of China, Vice Chairman of the Chinese Olympic Committee, and current Chairman of the China Sports Foundation, announced the opening of the conference.
Olympic champions lead the walk, sparking a hiking trek craze
Olympic champion Lu Chunlong (Jiangsu), world champions Luo Dan (Hunan) and Lü Bo (Jiangsu), and the world’s No. 1 hiker Lei Diansheng led the hiking event. Athletes sweated and showed great enthusiasm under the guidance of these sports stars. Along the route, Coca-Cola provided Pure water and Aquarius drinks, along with fruit and other energy supplements for the hikers.
International freestyle slacklining masters battle at Jinshan
Yufeng Sports collaborated with Hunan Economic TV, Ningxia Satellite TV, Mango TV, Shanghai Kankan News, Jiangsu Sports Channel, Golden Eagle Documentary Channel, Heilongjiang Urban Channel, Hunan International Channel, Hubei Economic TV, and Guizhou Public Channel to live broadcast or record the 2017 International Urban Balance Master Challenge held at Jinshan Temple. Thirteen international athletes from seven countries—USA, Peru, Spain, Colombia, Brazil, Ukraine, and Chile—competed against seven top domestic athletes. After fierce competition, Pedro Rafael Maranes de Vasconcelos Barreto from Brazil won the championship.
Interactive experiences for all to enjoy
On the afternoon of the 16th, following the conclusion of the hiking event, the Shiyezhou agricultural product promotion fair, food festival, and the opening ceremony of the camping event were launched. At 3:00 pm, performances by international freestyle slacklining masters began, attracting numerous spectators, some of whom also joined the slackline experience activities. At 7:30 pm, standout contestants from "The Voice of China" performed on Shiyezhou. Under the musical atmosphere, the audience fully embraced the vibrant energy of autumn. After the intense music, under the starry sky, tents dotted the grasslands. With the sky as their blanket and the earth as their bed, the grassland was filled with closely pitched tents as campers enjoyed the gifts of nature.
The 12-hour certified cycling race tested the athletes’ unyielding competitive spirit. Participants had to cycle 160 km within 12 hours and could get off their bikes as long as they completed the course within the allotted time. Riders could also experience the ancient charm of the old town during the ride.
Fitness for all, prosperity for all
General Secretary Xi Jinping first proposed, during his research trip to Shiye Town in Dantu District, Zhenjiang: “Without the health of all people, there can be no comprehensive well-being.” The sports industry has entered a “golden decade,” the fitness and leisure industry is on a fast track of development, and outdoor sports have rapidly become the vanguard of the booming fitness and leisure sector. Hosting the China Outdoor Fitness and Leisure Conference aligns not only with national policy goals but also with Zhenjiang’s strategic plan of “ecology-led, distinctive development.” This fitness conference perfectly embodies that vision. The "2017 China Mountain Outdoor Fitness and Leisure Conference" is a national-level event initiated by the General Administration of Sport of China to vigorously develop sports tourism. The 2017 China Outdoor Fitness and Leisure Conference—Zhenjiang Station marks the first provincial export of a locally originated event in Hunan elevated to a national-level competition, making it a milestone. The essence of the China Outdoor Fitness and Leisure Conference centers on fitness and leisure, features outdoor sports, highlights extreme and fashionable activities, and aims to promote mass fitness and sports consumption, contributing to a healthier China.
About Zhenjiang
Zhenjiang is located in the southwestern part of Jiangsu Province. Historically known as "Runzhou," it isthe northern hub of theYangtze River Deltaand a core city in theNanjing Metropolitan Area,as well as an important part of the nationalSuzhou-Nantong Modernization Demonstration Zone. It is renowned as the "Finest Scenery Under Heaven." Zhenjiang lies on the southern bank of the lower reaches of the Yangtze River in southwestern Jiangsu. It is a city with a 3,000-year history, formerly known as "Runzhou" and "Jingkou." The refinement of a Jiangnan city blends seamlessly with the classical beauty of a historic town.