Cool sports give city healthy options

While heat waves sweep across many parts of China, tourists looking to cool off might head to the ice and snow in Jilin city of Northeast China's Jilin province.

Inside the indoor rime ice lab of the Beishan Four Seasons Cross-country Ski Resort in Jilin, Chen Jiajia, a tourist from East China's Jiangsu province, took photos in front of the willow trees covered with rime ice, which is a type of ice formed by water droplets.

"This is astonishing! It makes up for my regret of not seeing rime ice before," Chen says.

Beishan is a standard indoor cross-country skiing training center for professionals. The temperature inside is around — 6 C and the resort has become a popular attraction for tourists.

"Since the rime ice lab opened in February, it has received nearly 30,000 tourists," says Xu Hongbo, the resort's operations manager.

Jilin city is well-known for its chemical industry, while its beautiful rime ice scenery by the unfrozen Songhua River has become a winter attraction. The Songhua River flows through the city in an "S" shape. In winter, miles of rime ice transform the city into a winter wonderland, attracting many domestic and international tourists.

The winding river also provides a great place for residents to exercise. The stunning views and public fitness facilities complement each other, making the area a "rime ice sports belt". Along the river bank, people are often seen running, cycling and playing table tennis.

"Table tennis is popular. I have to get here early to find a table," says Duan Yongsheng, a 61-year-old resident. He spends two hours a day playing table tennis at the Songhua River Fitness Corridor.

A few days ago, a table tennis competition was held. "It's convenient for us and the facilities are well-equipped," Duan says.

Not far from the banks of the Songhua River, a skateboard park covering an area of more than 2,000 square meters opened last month.

"This is the largest comprehensive skateboard training venue in the city. Over 100 people come to skate every weekend," says Liu Xiansheng, who runs the park, adding that open courses for primary and secondary school students will be held.

"We strive to combine public fitness venues with cultural landscapes," says Yi Liyong, director of the mass sports department of Jilin's municipal sports bureau.

Yi adds that the corridor will contribute to public fitness services and cultivate a base for marathons and many other events. When the Jilin Marathon was held on June 16, over 30,000 participants ran along the rime ice sports belt.

Many ski resorts remain busy even during the hot summer. Resorts in Jilin city host many outdoor activities, from mountain biking to camping festivals.

"We will upgrade the mountain running competition this year, which is expected to attract over 3,000 people," says Huang Zhongrui, marketing director of Vanke Songhua Lake Resort.

Sports also take up a big part of students' summer vacation. At the Jilin Municipal Ice Sports Center located on the rime ice sports belt, Tan Xiyun, 7 years old, skated on the ice rink. She has been playing ice hockey for two years and wants to stay on the rink all summer.

"We cooperate with the local education bureau to carry out free ice hockey summer camps for primary school students," says Tan Ke, coach of the Jilin Yulong Youth Ice Hockey Club.

"People from Jilin city have a special love for ice and snow," says Guo Liwei, vice-principal of a local primary school. "The school encourages students to do ice and snow sports so that they can have a cool and special summer vacation."

Xinhua