Swimmers flock to Sanmenxia to cross the Yellow River

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Every year around late May, thousands of swimmers gather in Sanmenxia, west Henan Province, to participate in the “Yellow River Swim” activity. The event attracts more than 4,000 swimmers, both professional and amateur.

Swimmers make last-minute preparations. /CGTN Photo

The event is open to all swimming enthusiasts of China and swimming associations from more than 120 cities have attended this activity.

Swimming across major rivers during early summer has long been a tradition in China, and many cities along the Yangtze and Yellow Rivers, two major rivers running through China from west to east, have become hotspot tourists sites for such campaigns.

Sanmenxia sits by the southern bank of the Yellow River in the middle reaches; it is also a place known for its fame of the “City of Swans,” because a large number of white swans fly to the city to spend the winter from Siberia every year.

A view of the competition site. /CGTN Photo

The swimming event is a great opportunity for people to get close to nature and exchange swimming skills, which is also an important reason behind the growing popularity of swimming in China.