International Mountaineering Festival

Initiated in the New Year’s Day of 1996, the festival has developed into the largest activity in Beijing, in which the mass of people climb the mountain to greet the arrival of the New Year. It has also become a traditional national fitness activity involving the largest amount of participants from all walks of life. It has attracted many international friends for participation. So far, it has held 14 sessions of international mountaineering festivals. In winter days, the Great Wall looks unique with dark green cypresses and pines. Walking through the mountains, participants would also enjoy the spectacular scene as described by late Chairman Mao Zedong, “Both sides of the Great Wall/One single white immensity.”