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Since the beginning of summer, Suichang has been using competitive events to stimulate the economy, consistently fueling a surge in sports-led leisure tourism and consumption.
Recently, the 2025 National U Series Paddleboarding Competition (Suichang Station) commenced on the waters of Suichang’s Xianxia Lake, drawing over 500 paddleboarding enthusiasts from across the nation to experience both the sport and the area’s unique natural beauty.
This marks the first time a national water sports event of this kind has been held in Suichang, bringing fresh energy and vitality to this scenic city.
The event was closely integrated with local cultural and tourism resources. A “Travel with the Event” themed itinerary was launched, allowing participants and their families to enjoy Suichang’s traditional “wind stove” banquets, explore ancient gold-mining towns, and wander through the terraced fields of Nanjianyan—blending competition with tourism.
“Suichang was chosen for its profound cultural heritage and exceptional water conditions. We aim to promote paddleboarding among young people and deepen the integration of sports and tourism,” said Duan Peiyao, Paddleboarding Program Manager at the Water Sports Administration Center of the General Administration of Sport of China.
The event served as a platform to showcase local culture and tourism. Its launch also signaled the start of the “Enjoy Exciting Events, Savor Suichang Cuisine” sports tourism consumption season. Centered around “event-driven visitor inflow, culinary experiences, and scenic collaboration”, the season involved 87 catering businesses, 45 homestays and hotels, and 12 cultural and tourist attractions, offering combined discounts for “events + dining + experiences”.
According to statistics, within just half a month of the consumption season, various events attracted nearly 5,000 participants, generating over RMB 2.5 million in consumption.
From the Lake Mountain Water Sports Center to the vast tea plantations of Dazhe, from 8 hiking trails to 10 riverside paths—Suichang has now established a comprehensive “point-line-area” network for mountain outdoor sports. Visitors can camp in spring, play in water in summer, hike ancient trails in autumn, and ski in winter—each season offering its own distinctive scenery.
In addition to the National U Series Paddleboarding Competition, Suichang has also hosted events such as the National Children’ Go Open Tournament, the East China Zhejiang Suichang Freestyle Roller Skating Grand Prix, and the Xianxia Lake Triathlon, successfully transforming sports visibility into longer tourist stays and economic benefits.
In the first half of this year alone, sports events attracted over 30,000 related tourist visits, driving consumption exceeding RMB 22 million. Meanwhile, paddleboarding and diving programs at Xianxia Lake, along with 8 self-driving routes connecting 42 villages, have enhanced the “Suichang Mountain Routes” brand, increasing rural income along these routes by more than RMB 75 million. Six distinctive campgrounds received 280,000 visitors, continuously energizing the local outdoor recreation sector.