Games changing lives as well as landscapes

The town's income has more than doubled from 440 million yuan (about $63.9 million) in 2015 to 1.015 billion yuan (about $147 million) last year.

It has seen an annual increase of nearly 200 million yuan per year since Beijing won the bid to host the Olympics. Last year was the first time that Chongli's total fiscal revenue exceeded 1 billion yuan (about $145 million).

But not everyone is happy about that. Some residents complain that their tranquil hometown has been disrupted by increasing numbers of tourists.

The mine owners are unhappy, too. They have been forced to shut down their operations by the government, which pledged to remove the mines in order to cut pollution.

Some miners have found other jobs. In Shizuizi town of Chongli district, one miner has taken to growing roses.

"It was very painful to see the mine close down, but it's beneficial to the locals in the long term," he said.

The service industry has replaced the mining industry, which was the economic mainstay here for decades. Tax revenue from the service industry accounted for 71.4 percent of the city's total tax revenue in 2018.

Although the global spotlight will focus on Chongli in less than three years, what will be left to the local residents when the Olympics are over?

It has been suggested Chongli needs to continue to modernize its industries in order to ensure lasting, sustainable development.

Zhao Zan, Chongli's district government chief, said the Winter Games have boosted the structural transformation of the area's economy.

"We will continue to introduce various projects related to sports, tourism, health and culture this year," he said.

Chongli has begun to garner serious international attention as a top travel destination.

Last January, it was named by The New York Times as one of the"52 places to travel to in 2019" for its booming ski industry. A high-speed rail from Chongli is set to open, and the one-hour journey will make the area even more accessible.

Meanwhile, Yu is eager to continue his skiing education in Europe, with the aim of leveling up his instructor credentials.

"It would be a dream come true for me if I could play a part in the Winter Olympics in my hometown," he said.

Xinhua