The sports bureaus of Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Shanghai and Anhui jointed hands with Secretariat of Sports Industry Cooperation Council of the Yangtze River Delta, and recently released “Outstanding Cases of Sports Consumption Innovation Scenarios in Yangtze River Delta Region 2024”. Haiyan’s project “ ‘Sports+’ Activates Resource Potential at the Outdoor Sports Destination of Scenic Area of South-north Lake to Build a Premier Sports and Outdoor Activity Resort” made the list.

In the early mornings, Jiuqujing Parking Lot of Scenic Area of South-north Lake is fully parked, with the clicks of trekking poles and hiking boots breaking silence. In recent years, the mountaineering routes in Ganpu (Scenic Area of South-north Lake) have gained popularity. Three officially recommended routes attract a steady stream of tourists from the Yangtze River Delta region due to local efforts in transforming traditional scenic areas into a “sports plus tourism” model.

Mountaineering routes become hot tourist destinations

Tourists to the Scenic Area of South-north Lake used to take a boat tour on the lake, snap some photos and then leave, but now many come for mountaineering. The first route, a sightseeing one, starts at Jiujing Parking Lot, passes Jiuqujing - a  mountaineering entrance, then Yunxiu Nunnery, and then spectacular Lake-Sea Watching Platform, and finally reaches Yingke Summit. This shorter route with beautiful scenery along the way is ideal for tourists to enjoy a panoramic view of South-north Lake and a popular route for family trips on weekends.

The second route, a culture experience one, also starts at Jiuqujing Parking Lot, and then it passes Yunxiu Nunnery, Baiyun Pavilion, Former Site of the New Fourth Army’s Haibei Detachment, Gaoyang Mountain, Tanxian Stone City, Xixiaowan, and finally ends at Butterfly Island. It cleverly links revolutionary sites, ancient city relics and natural landscapes, attracting numerous team members and photography enthusiasts.

For those with a strong interest in hiking, the third one, a professional challenge route, promises an adventure full of challenges and surprises. Starting from East Gate Parking Lot, it runs along the First Road of Hangzhou Bay, past landmarks like Immortal’s Chair, Jilong Sunrise, Paoma Stone, Wumen Flute, Luoshi Kingdom, Yong’an Pavilion, Ridge Stone Traces, Duqu Cloud Waves, Chessboard Stone, Immortal Looking Up, Lake-Sea Pavilion, Ancient Waxberry Forest, Wanchang Mountain Culture Area and Tangerine Garden, and finally stops  at Beili Lake Tea Factory. It will take five hours to hike along this circular route with numerous geological wonders, so the hikers can appreciate nature’s artistry while testing their limits.

Fueled by social media, the allure of those routes has been known to more tourists in recent years. They are captivated by the stunning scenery and unique hiking experiences down the routes, and then share their mountaineering adventures and spectacular photos on various social platforms. Their vibrant shares like sparks rapidly ignite public enthusiasm for those hiking routes, making the routes go viral.

Upgrading sightseeing consumption to a higher level

The Scenic Area of South-north Lake aims not only to be a “social media hot spot” but also to be a model outdoor sports destination in the Yangtze River Delta. In recent years, efforts have been intensified in Ganpu to enhance its hiking environment, and upgrade its mountaineering routes; for example, it has fixed safety railings, established rest pavilions and set up road signs, laying a solid foundation for the thriving development of mountaineering activities.

Additionally, the Scenic Area of South-north Lake has hosted South-north Lake Mountaineering Competition for consecutive years. For instance, “Climbing Top 11 Mountains of Zhejiang & Zhejiang Hiking Challenge (Haiyan)” was held here in December 2024, attracting many professional athletes and amateur enthusiasts from across the nation to race here. As a sports spectacle and a shining emblem for South-north Lake, the competition has significantly boosted the Scenic Area’s visibility and appeal.

As people begin to pay attention to their health, outdoor sports are emerging as a new healthy lifestyle. They prefer to improve physical fitness, build body and relieve stress in the nature, so the diverse mountaineering routes perfectly meet their needs.

Turning visitors’ number into their “longer stays” in Haiyan

The booming mountaineering has also injected vibrant energy into local economy along the routes.

The springtime for B&B and agritainment around the Scenic Area has also come. You can find staff warmly welcoming guests at Shangyu Inn, and visitors savoring authentic rural cuisine in the yards, with their laughter filling the air. Many come just for mountaineering routes, then dine or stay overnight to unwind and soak in rural tranquil charm.

Now the Scenic Area of South-north Lake is vigorously improving infrastructure and innovate management models to truly convert “visitor traffic” due to mountaineers’ enthusiasm into their’ longer stays here and breathe enduring vitality into local rural revitalization, and more efforts will be made to enhance services and protect environment to improve tourists’ mountaineering experiences.