Davos attracts tourists, sport enthusiasts and world leaders

World
Europe

By CGTN’s Zhang He

At 1,560 meters, Davos is one of the highest Alpine resorts in Europe. Every January, the relaxed town turns into a busy meeting place, where the richest and most influential people in the world gather to discuss pressing global issues.

It is just days before the World Economic Forum opens its doors, and Davos has entered its peak season. ‍The population of the town has suddenly nearly tripled from 12,000 to over 30,000.

A woman passes security walls shielding the entrance to the Congress Center, venue for the World Economic Forum, in Davos, Switzerland, on January 13, 2017. /CFP Photo

In the 19th century, Europeans came to Davos to seek treatment for lung disease and many sanatoriums were built in the town. Some doctors believed the dry arid mountain climate would help tuberculosis patients because it would dry moisture from their lungs.

This place was one of the inspirations for Thomas Mann’s famous novel "The Magic Mountain", and is in many ways still pretty much like old times. People breathe in the clean and dry air, and enjoy the beautiful mountain views.

Surrounded by snow-capped mountains, Davos is a winter sports wonderland that attracts winter sports lovers from all over the world.

Look at the snow and sunny weather! It's no wonder people come here for skiing and snowboarding in this fantastic atmosphere.

Norway's Heidi Weng (front) competes in the women's 15km individual free race at the FIS Cross Country World Cup Nordic skiing event on December 10, 2016 in Davos. /CFP Photo‍

Song Shuyao is a former freestyle skier on China’s national team. She was attracted by the magic mountain and decided to work here after retirement.

"I think the reason is that I want to open my mind. I come from the snow industry. I have the education in the national team of freestyle skiing. So I have the experience. But I want to help Chinese to go different places to see the world. So this is the reason I was attracted to working here," said Song.

The first meeting of the World Economic Forum took place in the town in 1971. Since then, its prominent guests have found the spirit of Davos extraordinarily inspiring.

"The spirit of Davos is to come together and talk about important topics as friends, not as global leaders facing each other, so it is actually a free environment where you can talk freely," said Nuot Lietha from tourist service Destination Davos Klosters.

Over the next few days, the small town of Davos will become a place for big ideas, with relaxed, informal discussions about the world's most pressing problems.