Editor's Note: On November 11, the International Conference of Mountain Tourism and Outdoor Sports (MTOS) 2025 commenced in Guiyang City, Guizhou Province. With the continued theme "Integration of Culture, Tourism and Sports Presents a High Quality Life," this year's Conference featured a series of events including the International Mountain Tourism Alliance (IMTA) Annual Conference 2025, the International Mountain Tourism Promotion Conference 2025, a Field Trip to Guizhou Mountain Tourism Destinations, and the Bank of Guizhou·Mountain Culture, Tourism and Outdoor Sport Equipment Exhibition. Over 350 participants gathered, including representatives from international organizations, government and tourism departments of relevant countries, diplomatic missions in China, tourism-related enterprises, mountain tourism destination management agencies, experts, scholars, and media from more than 30 countries and regions. They explored new pathways for the integrated development of "Mountain Tourism +", shared new achievements in mountain tourism development, and worked together to build a prosperous new future for mountain tourism. Kong Hao, Hainan Tourism Ambassador, made a presentation at the 2025 International Mountain Tourism Promotion Conference.

The following is the full text of the presentation:

Distinguished leaders, honoured guests, and dear friends, good day, everyone!

It's an honour to be at the 2025 International Conference of Mountain Tourism & Outdoor Sports—an event in the global spotlight. As Hainan's tourism ambassador, I'm thrilled to introduce a land brimming with energy and charm: Hainan. Our theme today is “Outdoor Paradise in the Rainforest.”

Here at 18 degrees north latitude, you'll find an ecological wonder. Central Hainan Province—Wuzhishan, Changjiang Li Autonomous County, Baoting Li and Miao Autonomous County, Qiongzhong Li and Miao Autonomous County, Tunchang County, and Baisha Li Autonomous County—glitters like six emeralds set in the heart of National Park of Hainan Tropical Rainforest. With its remarkable rainforest coverage, this is a true natural oxygen bar—every deep breath is restorative. Thanks to a spring-like climate year-round, with average temperatures of 22–24°C—no scorching summers, no bitter winters, it's often called a “natural air-conditioned zone” and a “natural outdoor arena.” Building on this eco-plus-climate advantage, Hainan has completed the Round-the-Island Tourist Highway, a 988.2 km highway (with open sea or scenic views along more than half the route) and the Hainan Tropical Rainforest National Park Scenic Road, which is 466.015 km. Together, they provide a rock-solid foundation for mountain tourism and outdoor sports.

Capitalizing on this green treasure, Hainan is shaping a multi-tier, world-class lineup of outdoor events that puts the island firmly in the global sporting spotlight.

In road cycling, the Tour of Hainan—one of Asia's premier professional races—has long featured decisive stages in central Hainan, where elite riders fly with the wind as mountain-and-sea vistas spin past their wheels. Each winter, the UCI Gran Fondo World Series – Hainan returns on schedule, drawing thousands of cyclists who push their limits and chase World Championships qualification—a spectacular blend of elite sport and mass participation.

In outdoor multisport and rock climbing, Hainan's momentum is unmistakable. The Sanya Economic Circle Tropical Rainforest Challenge has attracted large crowds of nearly 5000 participants in 2024—and its popularity keeps climbing. Even more notably, the annual finals of the China Natural Rock Climbing Series have been staged in Changjiang, on the dramatic natural cliffs of Shili Hualang (Ten-Mile Gallery) in Wangxia Township. The venue fills a long-standing gap for top-tier competitions on natural rock in China and has put the “Changjiang Rock Wall” on the map as a new landmark for climbers.

Of course, Hainan's appeal goes far beyond watching elite events—it's about the many ways you can jump in and experience it yourself. With careful planning, we've woven together a captivating tapestry of “one city (or county), one signature experience.”

At Wuzhishan—the “adventure hub atop the rainforest”—you can ride the rapids in the Red Canyon (Hongxiagu) rafting area, or tackle road cycling's “queen stage” on Atuoling Ridge, famed for its “19 Bends.” This is also home to Hainan's first UCI Continental team, the Hainan Wuzhishan Cycling Team (Wuzhishan 1867)—named after Wuzhishan's 1,867-meter summit—whose riders have earned national champion titles, underscoring the region's deep cycling DNA.

In Baoting—the island's “high-energy hub for mountain sports”—you can hike Qixianling Hot Spring National Forest Park for sweeping views, delve into the Yanoda Rainforest Cultural Tourism Zone, or tee off at a professional mountain golf.

In Changjiang Li Autonomous County, you're invited to a “cultural ramble between mountains and rivers.” Meet rare flora and fauna amid the rainforest at Bawangling, delve into the geological wonders of Emperor (Huangdi) Cave, and at Shili Hualang—the “Ten-Mile Gallery” in Wangxia Township, soak up the wild scenery and even “rock ballet” on its sheer cliffs.

In Qiongzhong Li and Miao Autonomous County, the “leisure stopover in an ecological sanctuary” invites you to unwind amid the waterfall rainforests of Yinggeling and Baihualing. In Baisha Li Autonomous County, the “slow-living haven for rural wellness” blends a rainforest scenic road with vast tea plantations to create restorative wellness running routes and a uniquely unhurried pace of life. And in Tunchang County, the “light-outdoor playground amid the fields” offers an ideal family- and beginner-friendly option: loop cycling around Muse Lake.

Hainan's true appeal lies in the deep fusion of sport and local culture. The island is home to the Li and Miao peoples, whose living traditions give the place its heartbeat. The brilliance of Li brocade and the intricacy of Miao embroidery, along with the timeless craft of traditional Li pottery, are all vibrant forms of intangible cultural heritage. Join the festivities during Sanyuesan (the “Third Day of the Third Lunar Month”), or cool off at Baoting's Water-Splashing Festival, and you'll feel the warmth of minority cultures first-hand. After a day outdoors, sit down to rainforest-born specialties like “Cow That Doesn't Go Home” beef and “Tree-Climbing Chicken.” You'll feel the spirit of this place: it's not just a stage for sport, but a home for culture and a haven for body and mind.

Friends, Hainan is moving full steam ahead with its Free Trade Port—and integrating tourism with sports is our golden path to high-quality growth. Right now, Hainan offers visa-free entry for travelers from up to 86 countries. With three international gateways—Haikou Meilan, Sanya Phoenix, and Qionghai Bo'ao—we've built an extensive air network of 300+ international routes, and we've set up 29 overseas tourism promotion offices to connect with the world. So here's our invitation to event organizers, travel companies, and partners across the outdoor community: let's work together to unlock the full potential of this rainforest heartland. By building a strong portfolio of event-plus-tourism products, we can turn Hainan's ecological strengths and competitive sporting edge into shared growth—making Hainan a national leader and a globally recognized destination for mountain tourism and outdoor sports.

Outdoor Paradise in the Rainforest—alive with energy; a sporting haven full of promise. Here you'll find nature's bounty, the thrill of top-tier events, the warmth of living culture—and an open door to collaboration. With your support and participation, we're confident Hainan's future will shine even brighter.

Thank you for listening. We look forward to welcoming you to Hainan for a true rainforest rendezvous. Thank you!

All other images provided by: The Department of Tourism, Culture, Radio Television, and Sports of Hainan Province

Editor Ⅰ: Zhang Wenwen

Editor Ⅱ: Bao Gang

Editor Ⅲ: Liu Guosong