The 2024 National Mass Mountaineering and Fitness Conference and the 9th Ningxia Niushou Mountain Hiking and Mountaineering Festival took place on Saturday. Enthusiasts from across China joined local residents in appreciating the natural beauty of Niushou Mountain while immersing themselves in the rich Yellow River culture. 

The 2024 National Mass Mountaineering and Fitness Conference and the 9th Ningxia Niushou Mountain Hiking and Mountaineering Festival take place on Saturday. [Photo/cn.chinadaily.com.cn]

The theme of this year’s events was "Climb the Peak of Niushou and Admire the Splendor of the Yellow River". 

The national-level festival in Qingtongxia, Wuzhong, Ningxia, which has received praise from the China Mountaineering Association, was running for the eighth year in-a-row. 

More than 1,500 people take part in this year’s hiking festival. [Photo/cn.chinadaily.com.cn]

More than 1,500 participants set off with a spring in their step on Saturday, advancing along the banks of the Yellow River. Along the way, they took in breathtaking views of the 108 Buddhist Pagodas, the vast and majestic Grand Canyon and Niushou Mountain itself, allowing themselves to unwind in each other’s company.   

To ensure the success of the event, the organizing committee provided comprehensive support, including professional medical teams, security personnel, and supply stations along the route, prioritizing the safety and well-being of all participants. 

In addition to carefully planned routes and attractive prizes, the committee organized engaging activities along the way, such as singing revolutionary songs together, a "Clean the Trash, Protect the Yellow River" initiative, and cultural, tourism, and sports knowledge quizzes. These added surprises allowed participants to enjoy both the thrill of being there.