The sports that Chinese people like have always had distinctive traditional characteristics. For example, outdoor sports such as Tai Chi and fitness square dance (not traditional Chinese dancing) are the most popular. However, most of the participants in these sports are middle-aged and elderly people. In recent years, fitness activities in China have gradually changed, and people begin to enjoy running, hiking, and other sports. Among them, the fitness club has become a new sports venue for the younger generation. Many people enter the gym with the hope of having a strong physique like an athlete.

What are the most popular sports in China for young people?

Running and jogging is the most popular sports in China for young people in recent years. It is welcomed by the young group for many reasons.

Running exercise is convenient to practice. There is not too much limitation about running when it comes to site and time. You can do it in the early morning before work; you can also choose to exercise after work or even at the end of the day.

Whether you choose running on the treadmill or outdoors, it has the same effects, so poor weather conditions have no significant impact on this sport.

Running is also a good way to explore a new city. For example, when learning Chinese in Kunming, you may go out jogging at Green Lake, one of the parks you must see in Kunming. By jogging around this area, you can make friends with local runners; see how locals spending time in the park, and appreciate the pretty scenery of Green Lake at the same time. There are also many fancy cafes and Chinese restaurants (Do you know what to order in a Chinese restaurant?) in the surrounding for you to chill after exercise.

Young Chinese make friends by joining the online and offline running community. If you have no idea how to make friends with Chinese, join a running community and find your group while exercising.     

Unlike most sports, you don’t have to prepare a complex kit for running. A good pair of sneakers and light sport wearing is enough for you to enjoy the sport. You may wear a smartwatch to monitor your body index to better know about your state while exercising.

In a word, running is the most popular sport in China for the young generation.

What are the most popular sports in China for elderly people?

People may change their hobbies and sports types at different ages.

For example, when aged 17 to 22, people normally prefer active and intensive ball games and sports. This kind of sport not only provides the joy of movement but is also treated as a sort of social event that you can set up connections with others. This feature makes ball games and sports very attractive to the young group, especially students.

When in age from 23 to 30, people start focusing on the benefits of exercising, such as keeping the body in good shape and good fitness. Strength training, yoga, and dancing are all preferences for people around this age.

When there are many pressures from work and family, weekend hiking and cycling become popular among people aged 31 to 40. They treat exercise as a way to relax and get rid of pressures.

As the increasing of age, Chinese people tend to practice exercise with moderate intensity instead. Elderly Chinese people seek balance and harmony between body and mind by practicing mild physical activities, such as fast-walking, Tai Chi, group dancing, and hiking. This kind of mild sport can help elderly Chinese maintain fitness and is also good for preventing sports injury, which is common to see when exercising improperly. 

In Kunming, many elderly people prefer to enjoy group dancing and fast walking.

Can everyone in China do Kung Fu?

Many people got misunderstandings about Chinese people that all Chinese are masters of Kung Fu.

Kung Fu is more like a Chinese culture rather than pure fighting in China. It is usually cited as “Martial Arts” when being mentioned in western society. Because for people who try to discover more about Kung Fu, they will notice that the core spirit of Kung Fu is not to encourage people to fight with others, but to more focus on the cultivation of decent personalities such as courage, empathy, integrity, and inclusion.

Kung Fu has combined many elements of classic Chinese philosophy. “阴阳 yīn yang: Yin and Yan,” “以柔克刚 yǐ róu kè gang: to use softness to conquer toughness; conquering the unyielding with the yielding” and “上善若水 shàng shàn ruò shuǐ: Great virtue is like water.”

Therefore, the answer to this question is “Yes and No.” Many Chinese people have inherited the core spirit of Kung Fu. The stronger you are, the less violence you would apply.

Not every Chinese person can actually practice the real Kung Fu fighting movement, but you can find professional institutions for experiencing and learning Chinese Kung Fu.

Is it easy to access sports facilities in China?

According to statistics, in 2019, there were 3.162 million sports venues in China, with an average of 1.86 square meters per person. From traditional gyms, swimming pools, badminton halls to the emerging climbing gyms and ski resorts, the Chinese have more choices for fitness.

You can use Baidu Map and Meituan App to find access to many sports facilities you’re interested in. There are many useful mobile apps you can use when learning Chinese in China. These mobile apps can make your life easier and more convenient.

When learning Chinese at Keats School, you will have free access to the Keats Fitness center. The fitness center is next to the student dormitory, which is very convenient for the student to sweat up and relax after an intensive learning schedule.

By studying and exercising at Keats School, you can save many daily expenses on these items. Learning how to save money while studying in China will be beneficial for cultivating one’s independence in the long run. Besides the Keats Fitness center, you will also have free access to the Keats Library, Keats self-study room, Keats meeting room, and Keats Laundry room when learning Chinese in China at Keats School.

After the class, Keats School will also organize various activities for students. Kunming is a lovely city to explore and enjoy daily life; there are many indoor and outdoor events and things to do in Kunming. You will have a chance to join the free weekend excursion organized by Keats; you can also choose to attend the cultural classes arranged by the Keats team on weekdays, such as movie nights, language exchange, and Friday meal gatherings. Your life of learning Chinese at Keats School will be colorful and unforgettable.    

Chinese vocabularies for sports ——The Best Resources to learn Chinese Vocabulary

Download the PDF of [Sports in China]

More free online lessons for Chinese learning and practice can be found on Keats School’s website. You can also follow Keats School on other social platforms to enjoy daily Chinese Character learning and interesting tips for Mandarin study.

Facebook: @keatschinese

Twitter: Learn Chinese

Quora Space: Keats Chinese

Tumblr: keatschinese

Instagram: keats.school

YouTube: Keats Chinese School

WeChat Channel: Keats Chinese