Move over, dodgeball! School P.E. classes in Beijing are getting a major glow-up, with kids now learning parkour flips, football dribbles, and cheerleading routines. The Chaoyang District Experimental Primary School launched nine specialized sports courses this month, turning gym class into a playground of possibilities.
🚀 Why it’s cool: Forget boring laps around the track. Students aged 6–12 can now choose from activities like swimming, parkour (yes, that parkour!), and football—mixing urban athleticism with teamwork vibes. Educators say the shift aims to ‘cultivate lifelong fitness habits’ while letting kids ‘find their sporty passion’.
🌏 Cultural twist: While cheerleading gains traction in Chinese schools, parkour’s inclusion shows how global trends are reshaping local education. The changes reflect Beijing’s push to blend traditional rigor with modern creativity—one backflip at a time.
📸 This story is part of CGTN’s ‘People’s City, Better Future’ series highlighting Beijing life.
