Henan and Xinjiang Youth Sports Summer Camp Launches in Hotan

On August 5‑11, 2026, more than 30 teenagers from Henan province traveled over 3,000 km to Hotan in Xinjiang for the inaugural "Sports Summer Camp" organized by the Xinjiang Hotan Science, Culture and Technology Activity Center. The week‑long program combines competitive sports, cultural study tours and mutual learning activities. Participants visited historic sites such as the Nia ruins digital exhibition, the Chinese People’s Liberation Army’s march‑into‑Hotan memorial hall, and the Tajik ethnic cultural garden, while also playing football matches, exploring desert soccer at Yulong Bay, and attending a martial‑arts showcase by local students.

The camp’s two‑phase format began earlier, when 30 Hotan youths spent a week in central China (July 23‑28) touring Shaolin, Longmen Grottoes and the birthplace of Tai Chi, immersing themselves in traditional Chinese culture. The exchange aims to strengthen ethnic unity, promote mutual understanding, and foster a sense of national identity among the next generation. Organizers highlighted the blend of sport, red‑themed patriotic education, and cultural immersion as a model for future youth exchanges across regions.