On January 1, 2025, as people across China celebrated the New Year in various ways, Dali Prefecture in Yunnan Province marked the occasion with a lively fitness run. The "2025 Dali Nostalgia Marathon Relay (Nanjian Leg)", hosted by the Dali Education and Sports Bureau and the Dali Culture and Tourism Bureau and organized by the Nanjian Yi Autonomous County Government, took place in the scenic Wuliang Mountain Cherry Blossom Valley. The event aimed to strengthen the sense of community within the Chinese nation and promote inter-ethnic interaction and integration.  

The run attracted representatives from 26 ethnic groups living in Nanjian County, alongside over 500 fitness enthusiasts from all over China, who gathered at the "first place in China to greet spring". Participants embarked on a joyful journey through the tea fields and cherry blossoms of Wuliang Mountain, embracing the theme of "Chasing the Clouds, Exploring the Mountains, Finding Joy, and Embracing Health".  

Dressed in festive attire, the runners ran through the stunning natural landscapes of their hometown, celebrating the New Year amidst blooming cherry blossoms and verdant tea gardens.  

The event, themed "Crossing Wuliang Mountain, Exploring the Lancang River", marked the first leg of the "2025 Dali Nostalgia Marathon Relay" under the broader initiative "Discover the Southern Silk Road, Run Across Dali." It showcased Nanjian's commitment to leveraging its cultural and tourism assets, including campaigns such as "A Life Called Yunnan," "Fall in Love with Life in Dali", and "Slow Living in Nanjian", and integrated them into provincial and regional development strategies.  

Nanjian Yi Autonomous County, located in western Yunnan at the southern tip of Dali Prefecture, is one of only eight Yi autonomous counties in China. In recent years, it has received numerous awards, including "National Key Tea-Producing County", "National Greening Model County", "National Demonstration Zone for Ecological Civilization", "National Model County for Ethnic Unity and Progress", "Hometown of Traditional Tiaocai Dance Art", "China's Natural Oxygen Bar", "Yunnan Beautiful County", and "Yunnan Green and Beautiful County." 

(Editors: Amy, Reena)