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This weekend, China's cities became international stages for showcasing sports and culture, as millions of spectators and visitors converged for a series of high-profile sporting events.

From the roar of Formula 1 engines in Shanghai to the gritty determination of Spartan racers in Shenzhen, and the record-breaking achievement leaps at the World Athletics Indoor Championships in Nanjing, the Global Times has reported on how the country witnessed a tourism surge fuelled by its innovative fusion of sports, culture and urban vitality.

Meanwhile, marathons in the cities of Wuxi and Wuhan showcased how cities are leveraging their unique cultural heritage to create unforgettable experiences.

Together, these events underscored local governments' ambitions to position themselves as a hub for global sports tourism.

World Athletics Indoor Championships
The 2025 World Athletics Indoor Championships, held at the Nanjing Cube arena, became one of the centrepieces of the city's sports tourism strategy.

In 2024, Nanjing hosted 17 international competitions, 70 national-level events, and 74 provincial tournaments, the local sport authority said, generating a direct revenue of 6.48 billion yuan (US$907.2 million).

Nanjing's tourism board capitalised on the influx by promoting cultural landmarks like the Ming Xiaoling Mausoleum and Confucius Temple.

Looking ahead, Nanjing is set to host over 100 provincial-level and international events in 2025, including the snooker International Championship, and the Archery World Cup Final, with the latter marking the first time this event will be held in China.

Beyond the F1 Chinese Grand Prix
In addition to the high-octane drama on the track, the 2025 F1 Chinese Grand Prix transformed the Shanghai International Circuit into a motorsports fans' carnival.

The venue buzzed with immersive experiences, from pit lane tours and driver meet-and-greets to adrenaline-pumping driver parades.

Outside the circuit, the Shanghai Auto Culture Festival theme park sprawling across 10,000 square metres, features interactive exhibits and racing-themed installations that drew record crowds.

Though not competing in the main race, Ferrari reserve driver Zhou Guanyu of China emerged as the weekend's unofficial ambassador, igniting waves of roars from the fans during the driver parades.

Organisers advised that the event's fusion of sports, culture, and commerce created a blueprint for mega-event economics, stating in a press release “there is a record 15.25% of spectators from abroad, 60% of whom travelled exclusively for the race, doubling 2024's figures.”

Spartan in Shenzhen
In Shenzhen, the Spartan race's season opener at the Bijia Mountain Park epitomised Shenzhen's ‘park plus sport’ model over the weekend.

Nearly 4,000 participants, including US influencer Evan Kail, tackled obstacle-laden trails winding through the city's lush core.

Kail told reporters "I noticed that there were many international participants here. It was an inclusive event, I wasn't the only American running today.

"I'm here to build a bridge between the USA and China. Our cultures have in common the enjoyment of exercising."

Most of the participants are from the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, organisers noted, as the year 2025 will also see the region host the National Games in November.

Marathons grow in popularity
Meanwhile, the marathon events in Wuxi and Wuhan unfolded as true celebrations of endurance, culture, and community spirit. Both events, deeply rooted in the local heritage, have evolved into emblematic showcases of the sports plus tourism model.

The Wuxi race takes participants on a journey through some of the city's most celebrated landscape. The meticulously designed course winds through scenic spots such as Taihu Lake and Lihu Lake.

Runners were treated to views that evoked the imagery of traditional Chinese ink paintings, with routes passing by historical landmarks like ancient water towns and cultural museums.

In Wuhan, the marathon race course, which, for the first time, spanned a full 20 kilometres along the scenic East Lake Greenway, offered a comprehensive tour of Wuhan's multifaceted identity.

Runners passed through historical landmarks like the century-old Yellow Crane Tower and the modern marvel of the Yangtze River Bridge, while witnessing the city's seamless fusion of traditional charm and futuristic innovation.

As many other Chinese cities continue to host mega-events, the audiences are also anticipating how the cities could turn the fleeting moments into enduring legacies.

Sports commentator Zhang Bin told China’s Global Times "the future of sports isn't just in stadiums but is also on the streets and in parks of the host city.”

Images: The Wuhan Marathon (top, credit: Xinhua), fans at the 2025 World Athletics Indoor Championships (middle, credit: Cui Meng/ GT) and pParticipants at the Spartan race in Shenzhen (below, credit: Spartan race organising committee).

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