As summer arrives, Tongren, a city in southwest China’s Guizhou Province, has rolled out a vibrant water sports season along the Jinjiang River. It combines professional competitions with beginner-friendly water activities for all ages, drawing crowds and fueling the local tourism economy.
Since July, the electric power surfboard and paddleboard races have been held on the Jinjiang River. The 2nd Mount Fanjing Kayaking Challenge then kicked off on July 12, attracting over 340 enthusiasts. Nestled amid green hills, the course features categories for solo athletes, teens and family teams. Many participants bring their families to combine races, water fun and summer getaways.
<img src='https://news.cgtn.com/news/2026-07-15/Water-sports-boost-summer-tourism-in-Tongren-1ONw3LCYJ3O/img/2dd8641ced584d14b4d85c5f9ce52aff/2dd8641ced584d14b4d85c5f9ce52aff.jpeg'Tourists take a boat down the Jinjiang River in Tongren, southwest China’s Guizhou Province in July 2026. /Tongren Media Convergence Center
<img src='https://news.cgtn.com/news/2026-07-15/Water-sports-boost-summer-tourism-in-Tongren-1ONw3LCYJ3O/img/2dd8641ced584d14b4d85c5f9ce52aff/2dd8641ced584d14b4d85c5f9ce52aff.jpeg'Tourists take a boat down the Jinjiang River in Tongren, southwest China’s Guizhou Province in July 2026. /Tongren Media Convergence Center
<img src='https://news.cgtn.com/news/2026-07-15/Water-sports-boost-summer-tourism-in-Tongren-1ONw3LCYJ3O/img/2dd8641ced584d14b4d85c5f9ce52aff/2dd8641ced584d14b4d85c5f9ce52aff.jpeg'Tourists take a boat down the Jinjiang River in Tongren, southwest China’s Guizhou Province in July 2026. /Tongren Media Convergence Center
<img src='https://news.cgtn.com/news/2026-07-15/Water-sports-boost-summer-tourism-in-Tongren-1ONw3LCYJ3O/img/2dd8641ced584d14b4d85c5f9ce52aff/2dd8641ced584d14b4d85c5f9ce52aff.jpeg'Tourists take a boat down the Jinjiang River in Tongren, southwest China’s Guizhou Province in July 2026. /Tongren Media Convergence Center
Capitalizing on the foot traffic generated by the event, riverside hubs offer easy kayaking and paddleboarding experiences alongside cafes and craft shops. A full slate of water sports events will run throughout the summer and autumn. This integration of sports and tourism is lifting earnings for local restaurants, hotels and agricultural producers.
Muhammad Arif is a journalist repoting on Asian Affairs, with focus on connectivity in Eurasia. He holds Ph.D degree on Global Journalism from HBU, China, he teaches journalism at a university in Islamabad. He has language skills Chinese, Persian, Russian.
