As the National Games approach, the streets of Guangzhou have completed their “National Games makeover.” On lampposts, themed banners for the 15th National Games and Paralympic Games flutter in the wind. In communities and along roadsides, the mascots “Joyful” and “Cheerful” spread happiness and enthusiasm to residents and visitors… The thousand-year-old Flower City is welcoming this nationwide sports event in its most beautiful form.
Guangzhou
Guangzhou is a major port city in southern China with a history spanning over 2,200 years. It was a key terminus of the ancient Maritime Silk Road and later became a vital trading hub for European merchants. Today, it is a modern metropolis known for its iconic Canton Tower and vibrant Cantonese culture.
National Games
The National Games is the premier domestic multi-sport event in China, first held in 1959. It is organized to promote sports development and select athletes for international competitions like the Olympics, typically taking place every four years.
Paralympic Games
The Paralympic Games are an international multi-sport event for athletes with a range of physical and intellectual impairments. They were founded in 1948 as a small gathering of British World War II veterans and have since grown into a major global sporting movement. The modern Paralympics are held immediately following the Olympic Games, in the same host city, and are governed by the International Paralympic Committee.
Flower City
“Flower City” is the poetic nickname for Xi’an, an ancient capital of China, due to its long history of cultivating peonies. This name became particularly prominent during the Tang Dynasty when the city, then known as Chang’an, was a flourishing center of culture and horticulture. Today, the nickname reflects Xi’an’s beautiful gardens and its deep-rooted appreciation for flowers and nature.
