Move over, screen time—China’s Gen Z is trading TikTok scrolls for hiking trails and ski slopes! 🌄 Outdoor sports have exploded in popularity among young Chinese, with post-90s and post-80s generations leading the charge. A 2023 industry report shows these groups make up over 68% of participants, while bookings for outdoor activities soared by 79% YoY—proof that nature is the new Netflix.
From Camping to Cross-Country Skiing
Social media platforms like Xiaohongshu and Weibo are flooded with posts about sailing, off-roading, and winter’s hottest trend: ice and snow sports. Even lesser-known spots like Xinjiang’s Tianshan Tianchi ski resort are drawing crowds, with 2,000+ daily visitors this season. 'I came after watching a live stream—it’s way more chill than other resorts,' shared 32-year-old Li Peiling, who traveled from Guangdong.
Gov’s Green Light for Adventure
China’s Ministry of Culture and Tourism is rolling out new outdoor-focused travel products, while a 2023-2025 action plan aims to upgrade infrastructure like camping sites and mountain trails. The goal? Boost the industry’s value to 3 trillion yuan ($422.5B) by 2025. 'Outdoor sports aren’t just about fitness anymore—they’re social lifelines,' said Huang Jin from China’s sport administration.
Nature as the Ultimate Hangout Spot
For 27-year-old Beijing techie Gong Yifei, outdoor activities mean friendship and freedom: 'Chatting by a campfire beats Zoom calls any day.' Families are also joining the wave—nearly 40% of group outdoor participants in 2022 were parents and kids bonding over fishing or horseback riding. 🏕️
With parks, cycling lanes, and walking trails multiplying nationwide, China’s youth are rewriting weekend plans—one mountain summit at a time.
