The sports and leisure tourism route on the eastern slope of Helan Mountain in Xixia district, Yinchuan, Ningxia, has been recognized as one of China’s top 10 premium sports tourism routes for 2024.

The announcement was made at last week’s China Sports Culture Expo and China Sports Tourism Expo, which were held simultaneously at the Suzhou International Expo Center in Jiangsu province. 

Helan Mountain is the sole program from Ningxia to make it into this year’s sports tourism top 10. In addition, Xingqing district in Yinchuan was named as a 2024 China premium sports tourism destination, while Shahu scenic area was named a 2024 China premium sports tourism scenic area, and Jingyuan county’s Tajiao skill, a traditional martial art of the Hui ethnic group, a 2024 Outstanding Chinese Sports item.

The 2024 China Sports Culture Expo and China Sports Tourism Expo [Photo/cn.chinadaily.com.cn]

Xixia district promotes the integration of sports, culture and tourism, focusing on a “sports + tourism + wine” model of development. It is shaping a new development pattern for sports and leisure on the eastern slope of Helan Mountain, with key programs such as the Extreme Sports Park Ice and Snow Camp, Helan Archery Center, Smart Marathon Track and Xixia Sports Park. Projects including the Upgrading of the Western Xia Mausoleums National Archaeological Site Park and the Construction of Helan Mountain Suji Winery are being accelerated. The district is also advancing the Helan Mountain Eastern Slope National Tourism Resort and Wine Culture Demonstration Zone, and has hosted major events like the Helan Mountain Half Marathon.

A Ningxia sports tourism promotion event is held during the exhibit in Suzhou. [Photo/cn.chinadaily.com.cn]