On December 14 at 8:30 a.m., the final stage of the 2025 China Road Pro Cycling League & "Tour of Yunnan" Road Race commenced in Chenggong District, Kunming. Over 100 elite cyclists from 20 professional teams from across China set off from the Kunming Convention Hall. They raced 108.9 kilometers along the Dianchi Lake Ring Road, amidst the winter beauty of Kunming's stunning lakes and mountains.

This competition was not merely a battle of speed, but also a window through which China's top cyclists came to know and appreciate Kunming.

Riders' Voices: Racing in Kunming is a Pleasure

"It's my second time competing in Kunming. Riding here, I felt the winter in Kunming is truly beautiful—with blue skies, clear waters, lush greenery, and vibrant life. The environment is excellent, and the road conditions are great, making it perfect for both cycling and tourism," said competitor Gao Xiang.

"The temperature, scenery, and road conditions at the Kunming stage were all fantastic. The ride was incredibly comfortable, and it's an ideal place for a race," added competitor Li Xinhang.

For Zhang Liang, the experience was more poetic: "This 'Tour of Yunnan' was truly amazing. I made a special trip yesterday to see the black-headed gulls at Dianchi Lake—a sight you can't find anywhere else in China. The organization of this event felt exceptionally professional, covering accommodations, meals, logistics, transfers, and all other services. I'd rank it number one. This race allowed me to experience a colorful, vibrant Yunnan."

From a training perspective, Jin Ziwei offered his affirmation: "I found the Kunming leg the most comfortable. The weather here is ideal for our training needs, and the local residents are very hospitable. My personal impression is excellent."

Racing Alongside Dianchi: A Picturesque Course That Unfolds Like a Moving Gallery of Landscapes

The Kunming course, spanning 108.9 kilometers with a total elevation gain of 571 meters, centers around Dianchi Lake. It masterfully connects urban landscapes, distant views of the Xishan Mountain, and the beauty of the lake, vividly embodying the new event philosophy where "the racecourse is the scenic spot, and the competition is the tour."

"The course is beautiful. Dianchi Lake has always been a place I longed to visit, and this race brought me here. The route design was excellent, the staff were highly professional and enthusiastic, and the locals cheering by the roadside were wonderful. I hope to come back and compete again next year," exclaimed cyclist Yang Ruifeng.

Zhou Bowen also shared, "The scenery in Kunming is gorgeous, with the mountains looking magnificent. The race difficulty and intensity were very high, making it quite challenging to complete. I managed to finish this stage today. Overall, everything in Kunming was great."

Sports as a Gateway: Showcasing "Yunnan: A Many-Splendored Life" to the World

This year's event, themed "Travel Yunnan Through Sports, Enjoy 'Yunnan: A Many-Splendored Life'," spanned nine days, traversing five cities in Yunnan before culminating in the ultimate showdown by the shores of Dianchi Lake in the "Spring City," Kunming.

A representative from the Education and Sports Bureau of Chenggong District stated, "We aim to leverage the high-quality sports events held in Chenggong District as opportunities. Building on Yunnan Province's brand as a 'Plateau Training Sanctuary, Outdoor Sports Paradise, and All-Season Event Destination,' we will use sports competitions as a catalyst. By integrating mass sports activities like cycling with Chenggong's unique natural and cultural landmarks, we combine the competitiveness of sports with the leisure of tourism. This approach will continuously deepen the integrated development of Chenggong's 'Sports + Culture & Tourism' industries."

Kunming Leg: A Perfect Finale, Awarded "Exemplary Stage"

As the concluding race of this year's event, the Kunming leg not only witnessed fierce competition but also received the "Exemplary Stage Award" at the closing ceremony for its outstanding event organization and presentation of the city's image.

This event not only provided a high-level competitive platform for professional athletes but also, through the deep integration of sports with culture and tourism, showcased Kunming's unique charm to the nation and the world. It infused new vitality into the "Yunnan: A Many-Splendored Life" brand and injected strong momentum into the city's sports economy.

Through the lens of sports, Kunming presented itself to the world as an ecologically livable, open, inclusive, and dynamic city. The turning wheels not only covered the course's distance but also transported a national audience, via the event's broadcast, into the heart of Kunming's natural ecology and urban charm—the very essence of the "Spring City and Flower Metropolis."