China boasts a long history of winter-related activities
Recently a major upgrade of rail connections between Beijing and Zhangjiakou has connected the area into the country's high-speed network. A link from the main line led up initially to Taizicheng and recently to Chongli. With a journey time of under an hour and trains uniquely adapted for skiers, this will open up the area to even more winter sports enthusiasts from the capital and beyond. Also during warmer months, for people simply wanting access to the mountains, the resorts offers quality accommodation and dining. Chairlifts and gondolas will continue providing uplift to the slopes.
There is hope also that the forthcoming events will generate even more interest in outdoor activities. Beijing has certainly many excellent locations for such sports. However, Olympic skiing areas, with first class facilities and excellent transport connections will remain a major draw. People today are generally more affluent and so able to afford the costs of weekend sporting breaks.
It is noticeable in Beijing's main shopping malls, for example, that an increasing number of sports clothing stores and brands are focusing on outdoor gear, both for skiing and mountain adventure. I have also witnessed a rise in "guochao" where a new generation of such clothing is incorporating elements of Chinese symbolism. Today snowboards feature prominently in the stores.
It has been unfortunate the Winter Olympics coincide with an ongoing worldwide pandemic creating a unique set of challenges not seen in 2008. The response in China has been well planned to hopefully ensure a safe running of games, safety of participants and of the public in general. Sadly I will miss actually meeting international visitors, for example, on Wangfujing and being able to say "Beijing huanying ni!" ("Welcome to Beijing"). However, it is to be hoped that all visitors will depart with positive impressions of their time here, as they did in 2008.
There are many super-size screens installed across the city so that local residents can watch the activities, which of course will have extensive domestic and indeed worldwide television coverage.
