Co-hosted by the Beijing Olympic City Development Center and the People’s Government of Yanqing District of Beijing Municipality, a youth ice experience event designed to promote the Dual Olympic culture kicked off in Yudu Mountain Scenic Area, Zhangshanying Town, Yanqing District, on February 1, 2026. The goal of this experience event is to further promote the Winter Olympic culture among the public, especially young people, and keep their passion for winter sports alive. Revolving around “Dual Olympic City, Ice and Snow Culture,” this event takes advantage of the abundant ice and snow resources in Yanqing District and acts on the principle that “ice and snow are invaluable assets” to explore new highlights in cultural and tourism-related consumption. It contributes to the district’s ice and snow economy by turning the “cold resources” of ice and snow into the “hot power” of economic development. The event integrates traditional Chinese sports into everyday life, enhancing the fun of ice activities and enriching the cultural depth of high-quality public winter programs. It aims to foster a vibrant atmosphere where people want to, are able to, and are happy to engage in ice sports, enabling locals and tourists alike to stay physically active while appreciating the ice culture.

High-ranking officials present at the opening ceremony were Xia Rihong, Deputy Secretary General of the Beijing Olympic City Development Association (BODA) and Deputy Director of the Beijing Olympic City Development Center; Liu Qianxun, Director of the Yanqing District Bureau of Sports; Lang Fengjie, Deputy Director of the Publicity Department and Level II Division Rank Official of the CPC Yanqing District Committee; and Zhou Jian, Deputy Director of the Yanqing District Bureau of Sports. They were joined by Li Haihong, Deputy Director of the Communications Department of the Beijing Olympic City Development Center, and Wang Baixia, commissary in charge of publicity of Zhangshanying Town, Yanqing District. Xia declared the opening of the event. Liu Qianxun and Li Haihong delivered speeches on behalf of the co-organizers and hosts, respectively.

(Xia Rihong declares the opening of the event.)

(The event begins with a ceremonial horn blast.)

Breathing new life into Dual Olympic legacy

Liu Qianxun said in his speech that Yanqing District, a charming Winter Olympic town, will continue to leverage the legacy of the Olympic Winter Games, and make winter sports a “compulsory course” in youth development, ensuring that the Olympic spirit endures and grows even stronger in northern Beijing.

(Liu Qianxun delivers a speech.)

Li Haihong stated, “This is not only a sports and cultural event, but also a profound relay of spirit.” It represents an endeavor to consolidate and expand the achievements of engaging 300 million people in winter sports, and is a vivid example of turning Dual Olympic legacy into a driving force for city development.

(Li Haihong delivers a speech.)

With a ceremonial horn blast, the youth ice experience event officially began, setting the frozen surface ablaze with energy and joy.

Buzzing with youthful vigor

This event features two fun and engaging competitions: the Youth Ice Bike Relay and the Family Sled Relay. In the Youth Ice Bike Relay, young athletes pedaled vigorously across the ice. Their ice bikes carved graceful arcs along the track, with every baton handoff reflecting teamwork and trust. In the Family Sled Relay, parents and children paddled in unison, propelling their sleds forward amid cheers and playful shouts. These were most heartwarming scenes on the ice.

(The Youth Ice Bike Relay.)

(The Family Sled Relay.)

“It’s so gratifying to see my kid go from tentative steps to full-on sprints. This kind of growth is truly priceless,” remarked a parent who took part in the family relay. The races were conducted under clear and strictly enforced rules: straying off the track or deliberate contact was not allowed. This not only ensured fair play but also helped nurture a strong sense of discipline and respect for rules among young participants. After thrilling competition, champions, runners-up, and third-place finishers were crowned in both events. High-ranking officials and VIPs presented the winners with medals gleaming brilliantly in the winter sun.

(Kids pose with their medals.)

Instilling Olympic culture and spirit in children

In Yudu Mountain Scenic Area, the stunning icefalls and the on-ice competitions complemented each other perfectly, creating a unique fusion of natural beauty and sports culture. It is learned that daily safety inspections and maintenance of the ice surfaces are carried out to ensure that young people can experience the thrill of ice sports in a secure environment. Such events allow young participants to embrace unity, strive for excellence, and push their limits, helping them appreciate the Olympic spirit and become inheritors of the Dual Olympic culture.

In recent years, Beijing has actively brought winter sports into schools and tourist destinations. From dryland curling classes to hands-on skiing and skating experiences, more and more young people are discovering personal growth through winter sports. The joyful smiles of children gliding across the ice were the most heartwarming scenes in winter. This ice experience event not only allowed the youth to experience the thrill of sports but also embodied the spirit of Beijing 2022, passing on its legacy through practice. It has further enriched post-Games ice and snow activities, infusing youthful energy into the public fitness initiative.

Zhangshanying Town, the core hub of the Yanqing competition zone for the Beijing 2022 Games, is renowned as the “Winter Olympic Town.” In the post-Games era, the town has continued to prioritize ecological conservation and the enhancement of ice and snow offerings, advancing rural vitalization in the process. Throughout the winter season, tourism revenue accumulated to RMB290 million, while the ice and snow industry created over 300 stable local jobs and fostered 34 distinctive homestay brands. This year, the Beijing Olympic City Development Center will join forces with Yanqing District to fully leverage the legacy of the Beijing 2022 Games to create premium cycling routes as part of the Joyful Road of the Winter Olympics (Yanqing Olympic Village section) in Zhangshanying Town. These will boost revenue for businesses along the routes, such as homestays, restaurants, and scenic spots, while strengthening integration and shared development among culture, commerce, tourism, sports, and wellness industries. This will also contribute to building the Beijing-Zhangjiakou Sports, Culture, and Tourism Belt.