The 2026 “Walking in Beijing, Perceiving China” program, hosted by the Beijing Municipal Education Commission and organized by the Capital University of Physical Education and Sports (CUPES), officially launched this March. This initiative focuses on the theme of sports, integrating cultural, ecological, and athletic resources across the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei (Jing-Jin-Ji) region.
The program features six unique routes, allowing international students in China to experience the nation’s development through cycling, hiking, mountain climbing, and ecological practices. Under the guidance of professional coaches, students “measure history with their feet,” building physical resilience while gaining a profound, multi-dimensional understanding of a modern and authentic China.
Inaugural Event: Spring Cycling at Wenyu River Park
On March 28, the program’s first event was successfully held at Wenyu River Park, gathering 40 international students from 10 Beijing-based universities representing 16 different countries. The event combined fitness with nature, featuring a scenic cycling tour that showcased Beijing’s ecological conservation achievements.
To ensure safety and professionalism, CUPES provided a team of expert coaches and volunteers. Highlights of the day included:
- A 17-km riverside cycling excursion and a friendly cycling competition.
- An interactive “Flower Scavenger Hunt,” where students collaborated to explore local flora and embrace the spring season.
Voice of International Students
The participants expressed that the event was a perfect blend of exercise and cultural immersion. Mujahid, a Pakistani student from Beijing Forestry University, shared his excitement: “Despite language barriers, we communicated through laughter and gestures, creating meaningful moments of cross-cultural understanding. This event showed me that Beijing is not just a historic city, but a welcoming global community that feels like home.”
An Upgraded Platform for International Education
Jointly organized by the CUPES International Education College and the School of Leisure and Social Sports, this marks the second consecutive year the university has hosted this national conditions education project. Compared to previous years, the 2026 program has expanded in scale and scope, stretching its reach across the entire Jing-Jin-Ji region to provide a comprehensive platform for international students to understand China’s social and cultural landscape.
