At the bowl riding facility of the Meishan Fashion Sports Center, a group of casually dressed young people wearing protective gear are challenging themselves with difficult skateboarding moves—gliding effortlessly down the bowl and smoothly riding back up to ground level. Skateboarding, rock climbing, and inline skating are among the trendy sports gathering here, with nearby amenities also offering horseback riding, archery, pickleball, camping, and esports.
On April 22, a media delegation visiting the China Meishan Fashion Sports Center as part of a "Vibrant Sichuan Tour" was impressed by the lively atmosphere. The venue has not only attracted many enthusiasts to experience its offerings but has also driven more than 300 million yuan in consumer spending by hosting professional competitions, establishing itself as a new landmark for urban sports.
The Meishan International Climbing Center showcases world-class infrastructure, having been constructed in just 150 days. Inside, the joint Sichuan-Meishan climbing team trains on indoor speed walls. At the sound of a whistle, athletes scale from the bottom to the top in a matter of seconds. Coach Ao Kuan noted, "The venue is not only spacious but also features diverse climbing holds and route styles, offering varied challenges for athletes specializing in difficulty and bouldering."
With a footprint of 8,031 square meters and an artificial wall area of 7,200 square meters, the Meishan International Climbing Center has achieved two world records: it is currently the largest climbing structure in the world by both land area and climbable surface. The main steel structure was completed in 61 days, and the entire project passed final inspection within 150 days—a pace dubbed the "Meishan speed."
A short walk from the climbing center lies the Meishan International Skate and Inline Skating Center, which boasts the largest skateboarding facility in Southwest China, including street, bowl, and half-pipe courses. Li Yanru, who started skateboarding just six months ago, said, "It’s only 8 kilometers from my home, a 20-minute drive." Previously, she had to travel over an hour to Chengdu to skate in a bowl.
The climbing, skating, and skateboarding centers, along with accompanying public sports facilities, form the China Meishan Fashion Sports Center. The clustering of venues has attracted a variety of trendy sports to the area. Liao Jincheng, deputy general manager of Meishan Sports Industry Development and Investment Co., Ltd., listed emerging activities such as equestrian sports, archery, and pickleball that have already set up nearby. He added that more fashionable sports are expected to join, helping position Meishan as a true "city of fashionable sports."
Since its opening, the center has hosted three international and six national-level professional competitions, attracting over 5,000 athletes, more than 60,000 offline spectators, and over one million online viewers. These events have contributed to boosting local economic activity by more than 3 billion yuan.
In terms of operations, the center has cultivated community engagement to draw larger crowds. Liao mentioned events like the Southwest Rock Climbing Exchange Competition, which attracted enthusiasts from Chengdu, Chongqing, Kunming, and Guiyang. Weekend family programs have also introduced many beginners—both children and parents—to rock climbing and skateboarding.
The "Climbing Goes to Campus" initiative has further expanded participation, introducing the sport to eight primary and secondary schools so far, with plans to reach 50 across Meishan. The climbing center now provides nearly 10,000 training sessions annually and has hosted over 20 professional teams for training. Programs such as coach and referee certification, youth winter and summer camps, proprietary IP competitions, and corporate team-building activities ensure the sustainable development of these emerging sports, integrating competitive events, training, leisure experiences, and talent development.
At the entrance of the Meishan International Climbing Center, a hand-drawn poster titled "Meishan’s New Gathering Place for Urban Life" highlights the area’s appeal. Nearby, one can find Zhiye Campground and Ande Children’s Park. To the north lies the Taihe Old Town historical and cultural district, to the west the Rose Jiaheng Sky Street, and to the south the Taihe Sports Park and Meishan Workers’ Cultural Palace. An integrated consumption scene combining sports, tourism, culture, leisure, and commerce is taking shape.
About 34 kilometers north of the fashion sports center, the newly opened Meishan Tianfu New Area Sports Park in April embodies a "sports for the people" approach, linking natural recreation with urban life. Located next to Tsinghua University High School - Tianfu Campus, the park blurs the line between school sports and public sports facilities. It not only extends school athletic programs but also provides public access to quality sports resources.
Chen Yuan, project lead at Meishan Huantian Construction Group, explained that the park includes 12 sports facilities such as basketball courts, soccer fields, tennis courts, and table tennis halls, plus a children’s playground—all free to use. Chen Lilin, a university student who often plays basketball there, said, "It’s convenient. A 20-minute bike ride from my home, and parking is currently free. The facilities are professionally built."
The park also features a free public pump track for cycling and a roller skating rink, creating a seamless cycle from free community sports venues to world-record-breaking professional facilities. From a 15-minute fitness circle to a hub for trendy sports, new athletic consumption scenes have become part of Meishan’s urban identity.
Comments