Chongqing - Under clear winter skies on January 10, more than a hundred skateboarders gathered for the grand opening of the Jinzhou Slidetopia Skatepark​ in Liangjiang New Area. The facility—now the largest of its kind in southwest China—instantly became a vibrant hub for the region's growing skate community, highlighting the sport's rapid rise in the country.

Chongqing’s newest and largest skatepark, Jinzhou Slidetopia Skatepark, officially opens. (Photo/Qi Lansen)

Skateboarding has gained significant mainstream traction in China since its Olympic debut, evolving beyond a sport into a popular lifestyle associated with youth culture, fashion, and self-expression. Its growth aligns with broader national initiatives to promote emerging sports and build a stronger fitness culture.

Built within the 650-acre Jinzhou Park, which opened in 2020, the Slidetopia Skatepark fills a major gap in Chongqing’s sports infrastructure. It introduces a novel "park + skateboarding + events" model for community engagement. "Getting to enjoy sunshine, greenery, and a professional-grade skatepark all in one place is next-level," shared one attendee.

Chongqing’s newest and largest skatepark, Jinzhou Slidetopia Skatepark, officially opens. (Photo/Qi Lansen)

The sport primarily attracts two demographics: children aged 4-12, who develop coordination, balance, and resilience, and style-conscious youth who often crossover from other board sports like surfing and snowboarding.

Competitively, Chinese skateboarding is on the rise. Since skateboarding joined the Olympic program, athletes like Zeng Wenhui (6th place at Tokyo 2020) and Cui Chenxi (China's youngest Asian Games gold medalist at Hangzhou 2023) have made their mark. Liangjiang New Area is establishing itself as a training hub, with its skaters having secured 12 medals at the 7th Games of Chongqing.

Young Prodigies Take Center Stage

The opening drew accomplished skaters from across the country, including several pre-teen phenoms.

Guo Zihao, 11 from Chengdu, started at age four and now ranks nationally in his age group. "The feeling of perfectly landing a hard trick is incredibly smooth and rewarding," he said. Similarly, 11-year-old Gao Yuhe from Shenyang, a top-three national contender in his category, has set his sights on future National and Asian Games.

Professional and Amateur Skaters Showcasing Their Skills. (Photo/Qi Lansen)

Local talent was also prominent. Li Bowei, 11, recently won a street-style gold medal at The 7th Games of Chongqing. Now a nationally certified athlete, he balances school and intense training. "I manage my homework during breaks so I can train right after school," Li explained.

His mother, Li Yanjie, noted the sport's positive impact. "He's become braver and more resilient. This is his true passion - he even packs his skateboard for vacations." She keeps his worn-out shoes and broken decks as "proof of his dedication and hard work."

A Facility Built for Growth

The skatepark features professional-grade bowl and street-style sections. The bowl area includes varied depths and transitions for aerial tricks, while the street course offers stairs, rails, and platforms suitable for both practice and competition.

Young Skaters Showcasing Their Moves. (Photo/Qi Lansen)

Designed to be a central training ground for Chongqing, the Jinzhou Slidetopia Skatepark is poised to support athletes aiming for higher-level competitions, contributing to the sustainable development of action sports in the region.