2024 15th Beijing International Mountain Walking Festival Kicks off in Mentougou

The 2024 15th Beijing International Mountain Walking Festival officially took place in Zhaitang Town, Mentougou District on September 7. The event saw the participation of more than 6,000 hikers from over ten countries and regions, turning it into a mountain sports carnival with international elements.

2024 15th Beijing International Mountain Walking Festival [Photo by the hosting party]

Beijing International Mountain Walking Festival is a key event for developing Mentougou District into a premier destination for international mountain sports. The 2024 session featured thoughtfully designed routes that made the most of the district's unique ecological, cultural, and geographical advantages. Four routes were available, including a 20-kilometer route featuring an ancient temple, a 10-kilometer ecological walking route, a 20-kilometer route along ancient roads and villages, and a 12-kilometer route featuring villages in Cuanbai Scenic Area. These routes connected numerous natural landscapes and locations with cultural and historical significance, highlighting Mentougou's rich mountain tourism resources and sports and leisure opportunities. The variety of routes catered to diverse hiking groups, accommodating both hikers and families seeking different levels of challenge.

Foreign hikers taking a group photo at the finishing point [Photo by the hosting party]

To facilitate the integrated development of cultural tourism, agriculture, forestry, commerce, and sports, a variety of sub-events centered around gourmet, markets, and performances were also introduced. Every participant could receive 20-percent discounts at several boutique guesthouses in the district by using coupons, along with a free ticket to either Miaofeng Mountain, Longmenjian Scenic Area, or Baihua Mountain, as well as special dining vouchers. The event also featured a unique market where participants could purchase local agricultural and cultural products, making this festival in Mentougou a one-stop cultural tourism and leisure event catering to the participants' needs of dining, accommodation, transportation, sightseeing, shopping, and entertainment.