Chinese traditional sports boast a long and profound history, and embody the profound heritage of the Chinese nation. They are an important part of China's excellent traditional culture and a treasure of Chinese civilization. From 17 to 21 October 2024, The 2nd Traditional Sports International Festival will be held in Kunming, Yunnan. Participants from both home and abroad will engage in communication and competition, while the local area will fully showcase the charm of Chinese traditional sports culture and the achievements of social development in Yunnan. 

Highlight 1: From "Going Out" to "Bringing In", Overseas Enthusiasts Flock to the Festival 

The 2nd Traditional Sports International Festival attracted teams from 27 countries and regions. Among the 723 participants, 353 were from overseas, accounting for nearly half—a significant increase compared to the previous competition. As the "going out" initiative deepens, Chinese traditional sports have attracted many overseas sports enthusiasts to participate. This competition will provide a platform for both Chinese and foreign athletes to exchange ideas and learn from one another. 

Highlight 2: New Dragon and Lion Dance Program, Diverse Competitions and Colorful Displays

Last year, the first Traditional Sports International Festival featured three widely appealing and highly competitive events: Wushu, Health Qigong and Weiqi. This year, in addition to these "three major" events, a Dragon and Lion dance program has been added, enhancing the competition's artistic and aesthetic appeal.

Dragon and Lion Dance is one of the most representative national traditional sports in China. As a new addition to the competition, the Dragon and Lion Dance will showcase the vibrant aspects of Chinese culture to enthusiasts of traditional Chinese sports and help overseas participants gain a deeper understanding of the richness and depth of Chinese culture.

Highlight 3: The Competition Venues are Unique, with a Better Competition and Spectator Experience

The Dragon and Lion Dance events will take place in Guandu Ancient Town, one of the "birthplaces of Yunnan culture". In addition to the competition, there will also be dragon and lion dance parades in Guandu Ancient Town, which not only enhance the scenic appeal of the area, but also actively implement the call from the State General Administration of Sport, the Ministry of Commerce, and the Ministry of Culture and Tourism to "bring sports events to scenic spots, streets and business districts". 

The Weiqi competition will be held at the Yunzi Chess Academy. As the "sacred product of chess", Yunzi is a shining pearl in China's Weiqi and is also one of the most distinctive representatives of Yunnan culture. The simplicity and elegance of the Yunzi Chess Academy embody the history of "Yunzi" from ancient times to the present, and align with the essence of Weiqi. Holding the competition here reflects the heritage of the past and present as well as the development of the times. The Wushu and Health Qigong competitions will be held at the Kunming Haigeng National Sports Training Base. This "meritorious training base" of the Chinese national team will once again play a significant role in the inheritance and dissemination of traditional Chinese sports. 

Highlight 4: The Opening and Closing Ceremonies Will Be Full of Surprises, Showcasing Kunming's Unique Characteristics and the Happy Lives of All Ethnic Groups.

The opening and closing ceremonies of this competition emphasize "Kunming characteristics" in terms of venue selection and content planning, using traditional Chinese sports as a window to present Kunming's charm to the world. The Opening Ceremony will be held on a hydrophilic platform, which offers an excellent view of Dianchi Lake and serves as a concrete interpretation of the concept of "Green Water and Green Mountains". Additionally, during the "seagull season," attendees can also enjoy the unique scenery of Siberian seagulls in Yunnan while watching the opening ceremony. The closing ceremony will be held in the National Square, showcasing the unique architecture, living customs and performances of ethnic minorities such as the Miao, Yi, Wa, and Lisu, presenting a beautiful picture of unity, mutual support and collaborative development among China's ethnic groups. 

The 2nd Traditional Sports International Festival is being held in Yunnan for the second consecutive year, which is a strong affirmation of Yunnan's capability to host international sports events. In the future, more events will be held in Yunnan, further supporting the development of Yunnan as a regional hub and playing an important role in promoting Yunnan's sports branding as a "Highland Training Resort", "Outdoor Sports Paradise", and "Four Seasons Event Paradise." 

Click here to view the Chinese report 

(Editors: Reena, Jennifer)