Once the crown jewel of the 2022 Winter Olympics, Beijing's Shougang Big Air has reinvented itself as a year-round adrenaline capital. The steel lattice that hosted Olympic snowboarders now echoes with the clatter of skateboards and the whoops of thrill-seekers rappelling down its 60-meter slope.
This industrial-turned-recreational site has become a barometer of China's growing extreme sports culture. Cyclists weave through its angular architecture while urban climbers test their mettle on the vertiginous drop that daunted even CGTN reporter Ioana during a recent attempt. 'The structure demands respect,' said local parkour instructor Zhang Wei. 'It's not about conquering the ramp, but understanding your limits.'
The venue's evolution reflects Beijing's push to sustain Olympic legacy sites through community engagement. Municipal data shows visitor numbers have increased 40% year-on-year since 2024, with adventure tourism contributing significantly to the capital's winter economy.
