19th Asian Games climbing center nurtures green development

(ECNS) -- Shaoxing Keqiao Yangshan Sport Climbing Center in east China's Hangzhou City, serving as the competition venue for sport climbing during the 19th Asian Games, has taken a resolute stand in its commitment to green and sustainable practices.

The entire venue has a semi-open, cocoon-shaped design, with one side featuring unique peaks and rocks while the other showcases urban street scenes, blending nature’s artistry with human ingenuity.

"This place was once an abandoned mine, but through development and construction, it has transformed into an international arena," said Chen Yuefang, deputy chief of media at the center.

Spanning 8,950 square meters, the venue's renovation not only showcases the scenic beauty of Yangshan, the stone city, but also rejuvenates the vicinity.

On the west side of the venue, where flag-raising ceremonies will celebrate six gold medal victories, a large rock, covering an area of about 80 square meters, remains untouched to harmonize with the distant peculiar rocks, creating a breathtaking vista.

Climbing, renowned internationally for its combination of strength and agility, has earned the moniker "rock ballet."

Aerial views of the venue reveal a massive structure resembling a partially hollowed cocoon, incorporating the elegance and agility associated with Shaoxing’s textile heritage with the aesthetic lines inherent in climbing. It is the only venue at Hangzhou Asian Games to receive the "Architectural Feature Award."

"Over half of the venue is hollowed out, harnessing natural light to promote green and energy-efficient features," Chen added.

During the 19th Asian Games, light filtering through the hollowed-out structure during nocturnal competitions will be softer, effectively mitigating light pollution.

Standing inside the transparent venue, there are scenic views in all directions: the east and west sides feature a combination of the city and mountains, while the south and north sides comprise the competition area and spectator stands.

Aligned from south to north, the competition area consists of three different routes that value speed, bouldering, and degree of difficulty respectively.

Beyond the competition area, the venue provides three climbing walls of the same specifications for athletes to warm up, with a retractable glass ceiling.

"Using glass instead of steel structures allows us to effectively utilize natural light, all of which contribute to energy conservation and environmental protection," the venue operator said.

Notably, Yangshan Climbing Center utilizes digital technology to determine excessive consumption of water, electricity, and gas.

Currently, the venue is entirely powered by green energy while the local power supply unit provides consulting services for green energy trading and pre-purchasing.

To date, the climbing center has received 928,500 kWh of green energy, equivalent to reducing CO2 emissions by 113.6 tons.

In addition to serving the Asian Games, this international venue will fully leverage its post-game value. Plans include hosting climbing competitions from around the world, offering training programs for climbing enthusiasts, and evolving into a public leisure and tourist destination.