The Second Jinfo Mountain Air Sports Invitational Enriching Chongqing’s Summer

On July 2, the Second Jinfo Mountain Air Sports Invitational & Via Ferrata Outdoor Challenge officially kicked off in Toudu Town along the 178-kilometer rural tourism route around the Jinfo Mountain in the Nanchuan District, Chongqing, with great excitement. Powered paragliders lit up the skies as they soared through the sea of clouds like colorful ribbons, while via ferrata athletes performed breathtaking “ballet on the cliffs” amid the mountainous terrain.

Under the themes “Travelling with the Games” and “Enjoying Thrilling Sports, Savoring Chinese Cuisine,” this sports and tourism gala instantly enlivened the vibrant summer atmosphere of Jinfo Mountain.

The event brought together over 300 top athletes in air sports and outdoor climbing from nearly 20 provinces and cities across China. International guests from countries including the United Kingdom, France, Italy, Iran, Pakistan, and Bangladesh were invited to deeply experience the charm of the Nanchuan District. Alongside thousands of spectators, they witnessed the dynamic fusion of sports and tourism enabled by the 178-kilometer rural tourism route around the Jinfo Mountain.

This year’s competition took place along the 178-kilometer rural tourism route around the Jinfo Mountain. During the powered paraglider formation show, pilots flew between the blue sky and Jinshan Lake with the karst peaks of Jinfo Mountain as a backdrop, drawing cheers from the crowd. At the same time, the Via Ferrata Challenge unfolded on the lakeside cliffs, where athletes, like real-life “Spider-Men,” scaled the near-vertical rock faces with agility and courage, thrilling onlookers and inspiring many to give it a try themselves. A highlight of this year’s event was the debut of the newly opened “Sky Ladder Flyers” Via Ferrata Route, which quickly became the centerpiece of the competition. Climbers ascended hundreds of meters into the air above the shimmering waters of Jinshan Lake, creating scenes as cinematic as they were exhilarating.

The event also attracted a wide array of international participants and guests. Among them was Yelena from France, one of the on-site audiences, who was deeply impressed by the stunning landscapes and local cuisine along the 178-kilometer rural tourism route around the Jinfo Mountain. Moved by the experience, she shared her heartfelt praise: “I truly love Nanchuan—it’s beautiful, open, and full of charm. I’m so happy to have made so many wonderful memories and met so many amazing people during this short trip.”

“This was a truly special adventure. The instructors were very professional. The mountains and rivers of Nanchuan are absolutely beautiful, and the local black tea is rich and fragrant. I’ll recommend Nanchuan, as well as the city of Chongqing, to my friends back home on social media.” These were the excited words of Fatemeh from Iran, who couldn’t get enough after experiencing powered paragliding twice in a row.

“Amazing, Toudu!” exclaimed Luke from the UK, an avid sports enthusiast. “This was my first time trying paragliding—what an incredible experience!” he said, still exhilarated from the flight.

Andrea from Italy summed up his experience with a heartfelt remark: “It was worth the trip—everything exceeded my expectations! The natural scenery here is awesome, and today’s spectacular performances left a lasting impression on me.”

Letizia, a professor of Italy at Sichuan International Studies University, shared her excitement: “I can’t wait to tell my family about this experience—I’m already planning to bring them back to Nanchuan in September.” She added that the two-day journey left her fully immersed in the grandeur of nature and expressed her heartfelt gratitude for the opportunity to take part in the event.

According to a representative from the Nanchuan District Commission of Culture and Tourism Development, the Air Sports Invitational & Via Ferrata Outdoor Challenge served as an important opportunity to showcase Nanchuan’s image and promote the integrated development of culture, tourism, and sports. More than just a competitive sporting event, it was a comprehensive experience combining sightseeing, cultural exchange, and culinary delights. Along the 178-kilometer rural tourism route around the Jinfo Mountain, visitors can also enjoy camping under the stars, river tracing, oxygen-rich hiking, hot spring wellness, and bamboo shoot picking, among many other outdoor activities. Hopefully, this vibrant blending of sports and tourism will bring us a new level of summer excitement in the Nanchuan District.

Nanchuan District Committee

By Yang Yan and Tang Anbing/The World and Chongqing