Three Hunan Projects Selected as China's Top Sports Tourism Projects

Recently, the 2025 Chinese Sports Tourism Boutique Project Promotion was held in the main exhibition area of the 2025 China Sports Culture Expo & China Sports Tourism Expo, where 40 boutique projects were highlighted to the public. The Aizhai Wonder Tourist Area (scenic spot), the Changde Liuye Lake Marathon (sports event), and Junshan District of Yueyang City (destination) from Hunan were shortlisted.

The Chinese Sports Tourism Boutique Project Promotion is one of the important side events of the China Sports Tourism Expo. It aims to launch a batch of representative and influential quality sports tourism scenic spots, routes, events, and destinations. These quality projects cover diverse elements such as sports experiences, wellness and leisure, and tourism vacation, with rich cultural connotations. They actively help deepen industry integration, expand sports product offerings, and stimulate new demand for sports consumption.

Three Quality Projects from Hunan Province

Scenic Area: Aizhai Wonder Tourist Area

The Aizhai Wonder Tourist Area is located in the northwest of Jishou City, the capital of Xiangxi Tujia and Miao Autonomous Prefecture. It is a key node on the golden tourism route between Zhangjiajie and Fenghuang, an important site on Hunan's two quality tourism routes—"Mysterious Miao Village" and "Tujia Origin Exploration"—and an integral part of the Xiangxi UNESCO Global Geopark, Dehang National Scenic Area, Donghe National Wetland Park, and Aizhai National Forest Park.

Aizhai Bridge

The core area covers 8.1 square kilometers and consists of the Aizhai Bridge Scenic Area, Dehang Canyon Scenic Area, and Jidou Miao Village Scenic Area. It features wonders such as a spectacular road, a spectacular bridge, spectacular canyons, spectacular waterfalls, and spectacular folk customs. It is a comprehensive cultural tourism zone integrating sightseeing, experiential activities, science education, and leisure.

Sports Event: Changde Liuye Lake Marathon

Since its inaugural race in 2016, the Changde Liuye Lake Marathon (known as the "Changde Marathon") has steadily grown, continuously raising the bar for the event and earning numerous prestigious honors. 

The 2024 "Changde Marathon" kicks off at the Liuye Lake Tourist Area.

The heart and soul of the "Changde Marathon" is the exclusive course of the Liuye Lake Marathon, which is considered a "hidden gem" among runners. Praised as "China's most beautiful marathon course" for its scenic lakeside and mountain views, it has also earned the reputation as the "best PB course" for helping runners achieve personal bests, thanks to its flat, open terrain and minimal elevation changes. Every step taken here is a dual dialogue with both the breathtaking scenery and oneself.

Destination: Junshan District, Yueyang City (Highly Recommended)

Junshan District leans on the Yangtze River to the east and borders Dongting Lake to the south, situated at the junction of the river and the lake. The district is rich in ecological and sports tourism resources, earning it the reputation of "Pearl of Dongting Lake" and "District with Breathtaking Scenery." It is home to Junshan Island (a national 5A-level scenic spot), Junshan Wild Lotus World and Finless Porpoise Bay Tourist Area (national 4A-level scenic spots), East Dongting Lake Wetland (an internationally important wetland), and Tianjing Mountain Provincial Forest Park. The Bird-Singing Forest Eco-Resort and the Dongting Lake Milu Deer Park—where visitors can see finless porpoises at any time, watch birds throughout the four seasons, and encounter milu deer up close—have become the new "three calling cards" of Hunan's tourism. A vast expanse of reed marshes, canola flowers, tea gardens, and sand beaches sparkle like pearls, facing the thousand-year-old Yueyang Tower across the lake and forming a delightful interplay of "tower, island, and lake." 

Junshan Island

Leveraging its abundant river and lake resources, Junshan District has developed a 37.9-kilometer marathon course—the only scenic river-lake shoreline route in China—and established the Finless Porpoise Bay Ecological Sports Park, first of its kind in Yueyang which integrates public fitness, leisure, and education. Additionally, the district has established diverse ecological sports venues such as the Smiling Oasis Camping Base, the Haohe International Fishing Center, and the Tuanhu "Internet-famous" Fishing Center, making it a popular destination for residents and tourists alike to connect with nature and enjoy recreational activities.

China Outdoor Fitness and Leisure Conference (Junshan Station)

In recent years, Junshan District has vigorously promoted the integrated development of agriculture, culture, tourism, and sports. It has hosted five consecutive editions of the Yueyang Marathon—an A1-class event certified by the Chinese Athletics Association—as well as 11 editions of the China Outdoor Fitness and Leisure Conference sponsored by the Chinese Mountaineering Association. The district also hosts a variety of national fitness events, including the Green Health Run, the Tianjing Mountain Hiking Festival, and the Tuanhu Lake "Internet-famous" Fishing Competition.

Chinese source: Hunan Provincial Department of Culture and Tourism