Sports and Recreation

China’s popular sports and recreational activities consist of both traditional, indigenous practices and modern, international pastimes. Perhaps most famous, the country’s many forms of martial arts, or wushu, remain widely practiced, both within the country and abroad. Dating back over two thousand years, Chinese martial arts grew out of the need for individuals (often monks and priests) to defend themselves while living in a consistently volatile and fractious environment marked by war and political tumult.

Influenced by religious philosophies, including Taoism and Buddhism, a variety of unique regional styles emerged over the centuries. Some of the most famous include Shaolin boxing and Taichi, or shadow boxing.

Today, martial arts are largely practiced for purposes of health, physical fitness, spiritual and mental well-being, and competition. Martial arts, and related exercises, are commonly practiced in public parks throughout the country.

Other traditional sports include acrobatics, dragon boat racing, archery, wrestling, and horseracing (the latter is particularly popular among certain ethnic groups).

In recent decades, China has established itself as a dominant force in Olympic competition, particularly in such events as gymnastics, diving, and weightlifting. Table tennis, or ping pong, is an extremely popular sport in China, as are tennis and badminton. Golf’s popularity has grown considerably in the past decade (particularly among wealthier Chinese), resulting in the construction of hundreds of new courses in recent years.

Due largely to the international success of stars such as Yao Ming, basketball has received increased attention in China. Soccer is also drawing a considerable Chinese following. Bicycling is a common activity, although is it generally practiced more as a form of transportation than recreation.