At the starter’s whistle, riders shot forward like arrows, racing into a moving landscape where clear water, emerald peaks and rustic villages blurred past in a vivid display of nature and human energy. The scene came from the Haokun Lake Cycling Race in Lingyun County, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region.

The event drew nearly 600 competitors and fans from across China and ignited the mountain town’s sporting spirit. Men’s mountain race winner Liu Jincheng called the route the most beautiful and most enjoyable he has ridden, saying that pedaling through the county’s fresh air, bird song and lake breeze felt like riding inside a natural oxygen-rich haven.

Lingyun’s forest cover, at 84.36 percent, and its excellent air quality give the county a strong ecological base for combining sport and tourism. In recent years authorities have upgraded infrastructure, hosted more sports-tourism events and rolled out wellness stays, active leisure and eco-health experiences to welcome visitors.