Over a thousand runners gathered on the mist-covered banks of the Lijiang River in Yangshuo on Saturday, November 8, 2025, turning the scenic riverside town into a vibrant stage for the launch of the National Sports Culture Promotion Event.

The event marked the opening of both the nationwide initiative and the Guangxi Guilin leg of the “Beautiful China Fitness-for-All Run.” As part of the broader “Wild Guilin Adventure” Outdoor Sports Carnival, it successfully channelled public enthusiasm into the country’s growing fitness movement.

Festivities began at 7am with a torch relay, where twenty torchbearers carried the flame over a 6-kilometre route from the Yangshuo Tourist Parking Lot, passing several landmarks amid cheers from spectators. The relay concluded at Yangshuo Bay Wharf, where Olympic champion Song Nina lit the main cauldron, officially inaugurating the national event.

By 9am, the atmosphere reached its peak as 2,000 participants set off on the mass run. Athletes could choose between a competitive 10.5-kilometre route and a more relaxed 5-kilometre course—both offering spectacular views of Yangshuo’s iconic karst peaks and riverfront landscapes. The longer route passed through notable sites including Sihe Avenue and Yulong Bay International Camp, while the shorter course provided a family-friendly experience through some of the region’s most scenic areas.

In addition to the races, the Chinese Sports Culture Exhibition was inaugurated, showcasing landmark moments in the nation’s athletic history—from Liu Changchun’s pioneering appearance at the 1932 Los Angeles Olympics to Xu Haifeng’s historic gold medal in 1984. A special section on Guangxi’s sports achievements further underscored the province’s contribution to China’s sporting excellence.

Nearly 30 percent of participants were tourists, reflecting the growing appeal of China’s “sports tourism” initiatives. By adopting an innovative “sports event + consumption” model, organisers effectively boosted Yangshuo’s local tourism while promoting a dynamic culture of health, recreation, and economic vitality.