Host city of 2025 World Games unfolds new vitality in opening wider to globe

Cultural ties woven through sports and more

As the world turns its lens to Chengdu, the Games' theme - "Boundless Sports, Countless Wonders" - has come vividly to life both in the venues and beyond through cultural experiences and connections.

Indian wushu sanda player Namrata Batra, a 10-year wushu veteran, is taking the event as an opportunity to explore the cultural roots behind the sport.

"I have heard that Sichuan's Qingcheng Mountain area is famous for wushu, and I hope to get the chance to learn more moves there," said she, who won silver in the women's 52-kilogram event, India's first wushu medal at the Chengdu World Games.

Outside venues, the cultural charm blends with "Bashi" - a calming nature that embraces life's hustle and bustle - creating a unique street vibe. This is characterized by scorching heat, spicy food and the Sichuan dialect in the panda city.

As night falls, "hotpot buses", Jinjiang River light shows, and Sichuan Opera's face-changing performances dazzle visitors. "I thought it was all about spice, but like Chengdu itself, it has layers of flavor," Polish canoeist Mateusz Kaminski said after trying hotpot for the first time.

US cheer coach Alexis Trost called the Sichuan Opera performances a "wild moment." "My favorite part was definitely the face-changing because it was so fast ... We love creating surprises in dance, and seeing that art form with its rich history was really cool."

Dong Hai, an English tour guide who was accompanying athletes, told Xinhua he shifted his career from taking Chinese tourists abroad to receiving foreign visitors in Chengdu. "I think my job is really meaningful as foreigners can learn and experience Chinese culture through my guidance," he said.

At the World Games Village, interactive experience activities featuring fine traditional Chinese culture and intangible cultural heritage were held. About 900 athletes received Chinese names through cultural workshops. Many guests shared their experiences in Chengdu on social media, recommending the city to the world.