Though the traditional sports like football, basketball and running are still dominating in China, some unconventional sports such as paddling, squash and pickleball have been gaining increasing popularity in recent years.

Based on statistics from the Wuhan exit-entry border inspection authorities, Wuhan Tianhe International Airport in Central China's Hubei Province recorded 11,600 foreign entries and exits in the first 17 days of March, a 23.83 percent increase from the same period last year, Hubei Daily reported on Wednesday.

Centered around world heritage sites such as the Central Axis of Beijing and the Great Wall, the "Top 10 Spring Flower-­viewing Destinations" were released by the Beijing Municipal Bureau of Culture and Tourism in Beijing on Thursday. The list invites residents and visitors to embrace the season and immerse themselves in a sea of blossoms.

A total of 14 registered marathon events will be held simultaneously across ­China on Sunday, with nearly 260,000 runners expected to hit the track, according to the official website of China ­Marathon. This weekend is expected to mark the first "Marathon Super Weekend" of the year in China, which is set to spark a nationwide running craze.

A total of 79 ancient sites, including river terrace settlements and military fortifications, were discovered in South China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region during the fourth national cultural relics survey, the Global Times learned from the Guangxi Institute of Cultural Relics Protection and Archaeology on Thursday.

Assistant Foreign Minister Miao Deyu met with Fernando Lugris, Uruguay's ambassador to China in Beijing on March 17.

Carlos Aldeco, the new Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) Representative in the People's Republic of China, presented credential to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China on March 18.

The 2nd Maritime Silk Road Documentary Film Festival (MSRDOC) held recently in Fuzhou, East China's Fujian Province, showcased some 24 Chinese-foreign co-produced documentaries, marking the largest display of such works in recent years.

Cuban Ambassador to China Alberto Blanco Silva visited Shijiazhuang, capital city of North China's Hebei Province, and met Ma Yujun, mayor of Shijiazhuang on March 18. During their talks, the two sides agreed to deepen mutual trust, enhance friendship and continue to strengthen exchanges and cooperation.

The Charge d'Affaires of the Embassy of Nigeria in China, Ambassador Babagana Wakil met a delegation from the Silk Road Golden Bridge International Cooperation Center led by Yao Sai in Beijing on March 17. Both sides agreed to work together during the 2025 China International Fair for Trade in Services (CIFTIS), injecting new impetus into China-Nigeria international economic and trade cooperation.

During the month of Ramadan, the Embassy of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and the League of Arab States Mission jointly hosted the first Ramadan football championship in Beijing from March 14 to 16.

When Fernando Alonso drove his Renault F1 car crossing the line at the 2005 F1 Chinese Grand Prix, he might not have expected that his win could be such a game-changer in China's motorsport.

Amid its centennial anniversary, the Palace Museum in Beijing announced the third phase of its open research projects on Tuesday, spotlighting 25 academic initiatives from 23 universities and cultural institutions, the Xinhua News Agency reported on Wednesday.

Chinese President Xi Jinping watched a performance of the Grand Song of the Dong ethnic group, a form of a folk chorus inscribed on the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity list, in the Zhaoxing Dong Village in Liping County during his visit to the village in Southwest China's Guizhou Province on Monday.

"What would happen if the Earth suddenly stopped spinning?" "If everyone on Earth opened their fridge at the same time, would the planet get colder?" These questions are amusing and might also sound absurd, but in writer Randall Munroe's What If, they are answered with serious yet hilarious scientific explanations.

Two ancient rock paintings dating back 3,000 to 4,000 years have been discovered in Baiyin, Northwest China's Gansu Province, the cultural relics survey team in the city's Pingchuan district announced on Wednesday.

Asia's first international comprehensive esports tournament, the HERO ESPORTS Asian Champions League (ACL), was officially launched in Shanghai on Wednesday. The event will feature nine top-tier esports titles, including Counter-Strike 2, Dota 2 and Honor of Kings.

Chinese mythology in recent years has risen to become a new medium for cultural dialogue. The news that US entertainment company Stars Collective is adapting Journey to the West into a three-part animated trilogy has drawn attention on Chinese social media, making it to the trending chart on China's X-like Sina Weibo on Tuesday.

Chinese Ambassador to the UK Zheng Zeguang attended the UK premiere of the documentary The Sinking of the Lisbon Maru at invitation on Monday local time, saying that it is of significance to release the film on the occasion of the 80th anniversary of the victory of the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the world anti-fascist war, according to the Chinese Embassy in the UK on Wednesday.

A joint research team from China and abroad has for the first time found that mammaliaforms from the Jurassic and Cretaceous periods exhibited highly similar, uniform dark coloration, the Chinese Academy of Sciences reported on Tuesday. The discovery has been published in Science magazine.

Young people in China are seeking inspiration from historical figures. Through AI-generated art, short videos, and social media discussions, ancient wisdom and modern-daily life are being bridged in the digital age.

China's first list of the Yellow River water conservancy heritage has been officially released by the Yellow River Conservancy Commission of the Ministry of Water Resources (YRCC), according to a post of China's Ministry of Water Resources. An expert who participated in the list evaluation told the Global Times that the list will help create a positive atmosphere nationwide, encouraging the entire society to better protect and utilize the Yellow River water resources.

A total of 35 Chinese athletes will compete in the World Athletics Indoor Championships, which is scheduled to be held in Nanjing, East China's Jiangsu Province from Friday to Sunday.

Nestled at the foot of the Helan Mountain, 30 kilometers west of Yinchuan, capital city of Northwest China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, some sprawling mausoleums of earthen "pyramids" stand as a silent witness to a vanished kingdom.

Tourists enjoy the scenery of a sea of clouds in the ancient village of Shitan in the city of Huangshan, East China's Anhui Province on March 17, 2025. Huangshan Mountain, a UNESCO world heritage site, has been a traditional scenic spot renowned for magnificent natural beauty.

Over 1,000 Chinese swimmers are set to compete at the national spring swimming championships, which is scheduled to be held from Tuesday to Sunday in Qingdao, East China's Shandong Province.

The rapid development of AI technology in the film and TV industry and the export of China's cultural productions, including TV and film works, are the focus of the ongoing Entertainment Expo Hong Kong 2025. Including the International Film and TV Market (FILMART) and Entertainment Pulse events, the expo opened on Monday and runs until Thursday.

A total of 110 artifacts, including pottery and bronze items, unearthed from the Beiting Ancient City site, a key hub along the ancient Silk Road in today's Xinjiang Uygur ­Autonomous Region in Northwest China, have been successfully restored, the Beiting Academy of Archaeological Studies announced on Monday.

When the camera spans across the lush landscapes of Kuliang in Fuzhou, the capital city of East China's Fujian Province, capturing protagonists in vintage costumes engaged in a friendly game of tennis, the audience at the 2nd Maritime Silk Road Documentary Film Festival (MSRDOC) is instantly transported to the bygone era.

New naturalized player Sai ­Erjiniao (Serginho) and two U-20 players who were called up to join China's 27-man roster on Sunday for the 2026 World Cup Asian qualifiers are set to inject fresh vitality and bring more possibilities to the Chinese national football team.

Tourists are pictured under blossoms at Qianfo Mountain in Jinan, east China's Shandong Province, March 16, 2025. As the spring season is coming, flowers are in full bloom across the country.

People attend the St. Patrick's Day Parade in London, Britain, on March 16, 2025. St. Patrick's Day is widely celebrated by Irish communities around the world.

Farmers participate in a ceremony marking the start of spring farming in Codoi Township, Lhunzhub County of Lhasa, southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region, March 16, 2025. Ceremonies marking the start of spring farming were held across Xizang on Sunday. The ceremony holds great significance as it marks the beginning of a new year's farming season and serves as a prayer for favorable weather and bountiful harvests. It is considered an important ritual in the farming regions of Xizang.

Chinese animated blockbuster Ne Zha 2 has surpassed Disney's Star Wars: The Force Awakens to secure the fifth spot on the all-time global box office charts on Saturday after crossing 15.1 billion yuan ($2.09 billion) in total earnings, according to data from ticketing platform Maoyan.

A newly discovered rectangular chariot and horse pit in Baoji, Northwest China's Shaanxi Province has provided key evidence that the Qin state had already established a tradition of chariot and horse sacrifices during the Spring and Autumn Period (770BC-476BC).

Chinese short track speed skaters have shown room for improvement after a lackluster performance at the home short track world championships in Beijing, as they only bagged a silver medal and a bronze medal during the three-day competitions.

The Chinese men's national football team defeated Kuwait 3-1 in a closed-door friendly in Dubai on Sunday, according to CCTV News. The match served as a warm-up for the upcoming third-round matches of the 2026 FIFA World Cup Asian Qualifiers.

While micro-dramas have seen rapid success, their continued growth depends on quality content. With proper regulation and guidance, and stories grounded in reality, the industry can evolve into a more sustainable and high-quality storytelling platform that meets audience expectations.

This year marks the second anniversary of the Global Civilization Initiative (GCI). Chinese President Xi Jinping proposed the GCI on March 15, 2023, during a dialogue between the Communist Party of China and other global political parties held via video link.

Once deemed overshadowed by Japanese anime and U.S. animation, Chinese animation is now experiencing a surge in popularity, especially among younger audiences.

A visitor takes photos of orchids on display at the Prague Botanical Garden in Prague, the Czech Republic, March 15, 2025. An exhibition on orchids is held here from March 7 to 23.

Chinese animated film Ne Zha 2 has surpassed the global box-office earnings of Star Wars: The Force Awakens, breaking into the top 5 at the global box office on Saturday with a total box office of 15.2 billion yuan ($20.75 billion).

South Korean actor Kim Soo-hyun is facing mounting backlash over allegations that he was in a relationship with the late actress Kim Sae-ron when she was a minor. The controversy has intensified both in South Korea and in China on Friday, especially after his agency issued an urgent statement acknowledging their past relationship but emphasized that Kim Sae-ron was of legal age at the time.

Bulgarian Ambassador to China Andrey Tehov told the Global Times in a recent interview that thanks to China's policy of opening up wider to the world, more Bulgarians have come to China after its expansion of its visa-free policy to countries including Bulgaria in November 2024.

Pakistani Ambassador to China Khalil Hashmi told the Global Times in a recent exclusive interview that the Pakistani government is taking necessary measures to ensure Chinese citizens' security in Pakistan.

The Embassy of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia celebrated the 55th anniversary of Ethiopia-China diplomatic relations in Beijing on March 13. China's Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Chen Xiaodong participated in the event.

Ambassador of Bangladesh to China Nazmul Islam visited Yunnan Province from March 10 to March 11. The two sides agreed to deepen practical cooperation in various fields, establish a bond of people-to-people exchanges, and seek common development and well-being.

The Russian Cultural Center in Beijing hosted the 2025 Russian Glinka Choir A Cappella (China Tour) Concert on March 13. As part of the China-Russia Years of Culture, the tour in China will reach cities including Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Tianjin, Chongqing, and Zhengzhou.

Editor's Note: Spring is the ideal time to visit China.In this season, the country transforms into a vibrant tapestry of colors thanks to the great variety of flowers blooming across its vast landscapes. Whether you're entering it through major gateways like Beijing and Xi'an, or charming cities such as Kunming and Luoyang, China offers a wealth of certified flower-viewing spots that promise you an unforgettable spring. For international visitors, here are some of the officially endorsed destinations that combine natural beauty and hassle-free travel policies.

Chinese animated film Nezha 2 will begin screening in the UK and Ireland on Friday, and will be released in 37 European countries in the following weeks. In its first week of screening in Europe, the film is expected to reach 100 cities across the UK and Ireland, showing in over 250 theaters, according to the Xinhua News Agency.

The incident in which an ancient stone lion at Beijing's Fayuan Temple was severely damaged by a tourist has sparked anger and discussions about cultural relic protection, while observers say that cultural heritage protection requires a multidimensional approach, instead of solely blaming institutions or leaving it entirely to legal action.

Researchers have decoded records revealing that a Northern Song (960-1127) family had tuberculosis. These "medical records" come from the Meng family cemetery, a significant archaeological site located in Duhui village, Xi'an, Northwest China's Shaanxi Province.

Rather than describing it as a platform for the publishing industry, the ongoing 2025 London Book Fair (LBF) appears more like a stage for cultural sharing, especially with the more than 40 diverse book-related events being held on-site by the Chinese publishing delegation's 50 publishing units.

Beijing is set to host the most highly anticipated event in short track speed skating as the World Championships return to the city's iconic Capital Indoor Stadium for the first time in 20 years.

China will continue advancing its three-year “weight management” campaign and promoting healthier lifestyles, said Lei Haichao, head of the National Health Commission (NHC), at a press conference on people's livelihood for the third session of the 14th National People's Congress on March 9.Following this announcement, the hashtag “The national weight-loss guideline is here” quickly trended on China's X-like platform, Sina Weibo, bringing renewed attention to the NHC's “2024 adult obesity dietary guidelines.”

At Indian Wells, the US, on Wednesday, China's tennis ace Zheng Qinwen defeated Marta Kostyuk from Ukraine 6-3, 6-2 to reach the last eight of the WTA 1000 event for the first time in her career. The 8th seed Zheng will face defending champion Iga Swiatek from Poland in the quarterfinals on Friday.

The absence of the first batch of naturalized players in China, who have no bloodline connection to the country, on the latest Chinese national football team roster for the upcoming World Cup Asian Qualifiers could herald the end of their playing career in China, while sports analysts said that they have left a valuable legacy for Chinese football by paving the way for an evolution of the naturalization strategy.

The Wenquan Paleolithic site in Ruzhou, Central China's Henan Province, has yielded a collection of Acheulean tools, including hand axes, thin-edged axes, and large stone knives. This marks the first discovery of such a tool assemblage in China's Central Plains region, filling a knowledge gap concerning the region's cultural development during the Paleolithic era, according to the Henan Provincial Institute of Cultural Heritage and Archaeology.

The Sanxingdui Museum has announced that the replicas of three precious Sanxingdui artifacts, including the renowned Bronze Sacred Tree, will be showcased at the China Pavilion during the Expo 2025 in Osaka, Japan, which kicks off on April 13, as reported by the China News Service. These replicas have already departed from Guanghan, Southwest China's Sichuan Province, and are en route to Japan, where they will offer the world a glimpse into the richness of Chinese civilization.

"Hi everyone, I'm Li Bai. Today, I'm officially joining Xiaohongshu [RedNote]…" With this playful introduction, China's most celebrated Tang Dynasty (618-907) poet "resurrected" on social media, sparking a wave of cross-millennial banter.

A 600-year-old stone lion at Beijing's Fayuan Temple was damaged after a tourist pushed it over, according to the Weibo account of the China News Weekly on Wednesday. An archaeological expert said that the tourist could face criminal charges or administrative penalties depending on the damage of the artifact.

Ink gives out the aroma of conscience and tenderness, and the weight of a sheet of paper props up your understanding of the author. The irresistible charm of reading books has been capturing my heart for as long as I can remember.

As the animated blockbuster Ne Zha 2 continues to sweep the box-office charts since the Spring Festival, its soundtrack, infused with traditional Chinese music, has also caught people off guard, especially one piece played on suona that has earned over half a million views on YouTube in two weeks.

Gao Zhidan, director of China's General Administration of Sport (GAS), on Tuesday once again underlined the importance of cracking down on extreme fan culture in sports, while outlining ambi-tious plans to strengthen the development of athletics and major ball games.

The recent announcement by China's National Health Commission (NHC) that it would intensify a three-year "weight management" campaign has sparked nationwide enthusiasm, reflecting a positive institutional response to the escalating global public health crisis posed by obesity and chronic diseases.

A Southern Song Dynasty (1127-1279) tomb of an aristocrat has been discovered near the Dong­qian Lake burial complex in Ningbo, East China's Zhejiang Province, according to the China News Ser-vice. The tomb, identified during the fourth national cultural heritage census, is well-preserved and features an elaborate design with numerous stone carvings imitating wooden structures, showcasing exquisite craftsmanship.

Following a thorough evaluation of submitted cases from 60 museums across China, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Regional Office for East Asia recently announced 16 selected Chinese museum cases for their innovative practices in accessibility and inclusion. The beneficiaries of these museums' practices are diverse and include individuals with disabilities, children and neurodiverse populations.

Whether it is promoting small rural theaters or proposing the construction of folk culture-themed pilot villages, many National People's Congress (NPC) deputies like Chen Cheng and Ouyang Qiansen have put forward proposals at this year's national "two sessions." With the aim to achieve rural revitalization, these deputies' suggestions focus on upgrading rural cultural facilities rather than building industry infrastructure. Their focus on cultural hubs reveals how China's versatile village cultures need to be made more tangible in order to drive rural development.

At this year's two sessions, Song Zhaopu, a 14th National People's Congress (NPC) deputy, made headlines by showcasing the acupuncture kit he carried with him daily during the meetings, as the topic "Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) ­practitioner Song Zhaopu gives ­acupuncture wherever he goes" trended on Chinese social media platform Sina Weibo.

China's tennis ace Zheng Qinwen revealed on Sunday night that winning a Grand Slam title was her childhood dream after she reached the last 16 of the WTA 1000 event at Indian Wells, the US for the first time in her career after edging past Sun Lulu of New Zealand 6-4, 7-5.

A new species of Wukongopteridae, Darwinopterus camposi sp. nov, has been discovered in Northeast China's Liaoning Province, the Institute of Vertebrate Paleontology and Paleoanthropology (IVPP) of the Chinese Academy of Sciences revealed on Monday. This discovery further enriches the diversity of Wukongopteridae and provides new evidence for studying the phylogeny of this clade.

Numerous discoveries, including three jade dragon artifacts, from the Neolithic Hongshan culture have been discovered in North China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, setting a new annual record for unearthed Hongshan jade dragons in recent years, according to the Xinhua News Agency. Among them, archaeologists uncovered the largest Hongshan jade dragon, which offers fresh insights into the prehistoric culture.

Chinese animated film Ne Zha 2 has surpassed the global box-office earnings of Marvel's Avengers: Infinity War (2018), becoming the sixth highest-grossing film globally on Sunday with a total of box office 14.882 billion yuan ($2.052 billion).

Some of the nation's legislators and political advisors at the ongoing two sessions have turned their attention to the protection and global recognition of cultural heritage as in 2025 a number of Chinese heritage sites and traditions, including the city walls of the Ming and Qing dynasties (1368-1911), embroidery and Chinese hard liquor, will vie for official UNESCO status.

In recent years, as public attention shifts to youth people's football skills development, more top-tier European leagues and clubs have set up football academies in China to nurture sports talent.

For most tourists, travel is often about visiting famous landmarks, collecting souvenirs, and following well-planned itineraries. However, for China's Gen Z, the meaning of travel has shifted. No longer satisfied with passive sightseeing, this generation sees travel as a form of self-expression, an opportunity to craft unique experiences that reflect their identity. Scenic destinations are adjusting their strategies accordingly, paying close attention to the emotional needs of young travelers.

Shanghai Museum has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Bowers Museum in the US, setting the stage for the establishment of a permanent gallery in the US dedicated to ancient Chinese art. The agreement marks the launch of Shanghai Museum's first overseas branch, according to Shanghai Museum on Sunday.

Chinese animated blockbuster "Ne Zha 2" hit Malaysian movie screens at Twin Towers in Kuala Lumpur, the capital of Malaysia, on Saturday.

Thanks to their abundant resources, growing tourism economy and strong government support, Changning county, the city of Tengchong, and the Longyang district in Baoshan, Southwest China's Yunnan Province have been selected for the list of "Top Counties and Districts in China's County-Level Tourism Development Monitoring," according to the recently released 2025 phased report on China's county-level tourism development.

Flow, an animated feature from Latvia, won Best Animated Feature at the 2025 Academy Awards on Sunday, securing the first Academy Award for Latvia. Upon the good news, Latvian Ambassador to China Karlis Eihenbaums told the Global Times that the achievement of the movie is very important for the country. Referring to Chinese animated blockbuster Ne Zha 2, the ambassador also said that he looks forward to more collaborations in the cultural sphere. Both films have ground breaking potential, he said.

Sinisa Berjan, Ambassador of Bosnia and Herzegovina to China, visited Xuzhou, East China's Jiangsu Province from March 2 to 3. The delegation held talks with the city officials, discussing trade, friendly exchange city relations, cultural exchanges and mutual learning for closer cooperation.

Khalil Hashmi, Pakistani Ambassador to China, visited Tsinghua University and participated in the opening ceremony of "the Light of Integration," an art exhibition hosted at the university in Beijing on March 1.

Officials from the Embassy of the Republic of Cuba visited the Foreign Affairs Office of the Haidian district in Beijing on March 3. During the activity of "Diplomats Dialogue around the Fireplace" dedicated to Cuba, both sides explored in-depth cooperation opportunities in science and technology, education, economy and trade.

The 14th National People's Congress (NPC), China's national legislature, opened its third session at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on Wednesday. In addition to the deputies to NPC and CPPCC members, there is a section for envoys from foreign countries. According to convention, ambassadors from various countries are invited to attend the opening and closing sessions of the NPC every year, which has become a window for the outside world to observe China and understand its development.

The annual "two sessions," a highly anticipated event on China's political calendar, are being held in Beijing. "China has entered a new phase of high-quality development," said Peru's Ambassador to China Marco Vinicio Balarezo Lizarzaburu in an interview with the Global Times. He said that he pays the most attention to keywords such as "high-quality development," "green transformation," "scientific and technological innovation."

While many architects expand career horizons globally, Chinese architect Liu Jiakun, who is also the 2025 Pritzker Architecture Prize laureate, was engrossed in designing a mixed-use courtyard complex in his hometown of Chengdu, Southwest China's Sichuan Province. Featuring teahouse and hotpot restaurants, the project, named the "West Village," typifies how architecture preserves regional culture through sustaining local people's daily lives.

Chinese animated film Ne Zha 2 officially released in 33 cinemas in Singapore on Thursday, leading in the number of screenings among all films currently showing in the country, China Central Television reported, citing local film distributor Encore Films.

Chinese animation Ne Zha 2 has taken the global box office by storm. The highest-earning animated film in history, it has pulled in an incredible 14.59 billion yuan ($2.01 billion).

Eating spring vegetables remains a cherished culinary tradition deeply embedded in regional practices in China. It highlights the Chinese appreciation for seasonal ingredients and local flavors, while also symbolizes the country's enduring connection to nature and the timeless wisdom of Chinese cuisine.

The highly anticipated new branch of Beijing's iconic Palace Museum is on track for completion in October, marking a milestone in China's cultural infrastructure development, the chief architect of the new museum said at an academic event on Thursday.

The upcoming National Games has become one of the topics that national legislators and political advisors are often talking about during the ongoing two sessions, as they emphasize its role in deepening regional integration and boosting economic vitality of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA).

On a casual afternoon, I opened an enlightening book called How the Steel Was Tempered written by a writer called Nikolai Ostrovsky. Immediately I was lost in the immortal work.