Ice sports have become a more and more popular pursuit among the Chinese, rather than a luxurious TV show.   Chinanews, Urumqi, January 31 – With the opening of the 6th Asian Winter Games in Changchun, Jilin Province, ice sports have become a more and more popular pursuit among the Chinese, rather than a luxurious TV show.

 

China has favorable natural conditions for ice sports, as most parts of China north of the Yangtze River are covered with snow in winter, particularly Harbin and Urumqi. Altay in Xinjiang is even considered as the origin of skiing.

 

More and more ski runs have been opened, and there are 30-some ski runs that meet the “international standard”.

 

Urumqi has quite a few good ski runs, and skiing and skating have become part of PE education there. Many communities have skating rinks of their own, where the residents can entertain themselves. “Ads of ski runs can be heard all day on radio,”said Gu Fanqiang, a Urumqi citizen.

 

Besides, many commercial negotiations were conducted on the spot in ski runs, where the scenery is usually refreshingly beautiful and the air is much cleaner than in the cities, not to mention that many people choose here for “healthier and happier” family reunion.