On October 22, five Olympic athletes participating in the “Olympic Athletes’ Qinghai Journey: Shandong Olympians in Haibei” visited Haibei Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture in Qinghai Province, taking in the spirit of the “Two Bombs, One Satellite” initiative, experiencing the stunning natural scenery, and immersing themselves in local ethnic culture.
That morning, the athletes explored the Qinghai Atomic City Memorial Museum and the first factory of the former State-Owned 221 Factory, reflecting on the remarkable history of the area.
Ma Zhenzhao, the bronze medalist in women’s judo (78 kg) at the upcoming 2024 Paris Olympics, expressed her admiration for the spirit of the scientists behind the “Two Bombs, One Satellite” project after visiting the museum. “The wisdom and spirit of our predecessors inspire us. I will train harder and strive to achieve excellent results in future competitions to bring glory to our country,” she stated.
Notably, Liang Yushuang, the bronze medalist in men’s taekwondo (68 kg) at the 2024 Paris Olympics, garnered a new fan during the visit. A young child presented Liang with a handmade drawing, to which Liang encouraged the child, saying, “You should study hard, and when you’re ready to learn taekwondo, I’d be happy to teach you.”
The athletes also reached the summit of the Tóngbǎo Mountain Scenic Area in Haiyan County. The high altitude rendered the area snow-covered, but the strong winds couldn’t deter their ascent. “The wind is pretty strong here, but I think the scenery is beautiful. If we hadn’t reached the top, we wouldn’t have seen such stunning views,” Liang noted.
Looking east, the Golden Silver Beach unfolded before them; to the west, the vast expanse of Qinghai Lake came into view. In the cold winds, the athletes stopped for a group photo, and Lin Weining, the gold medalist in women’s 69 kg at the 2000 Sydney Olympics, couldn’t help but recite poetry, marveling at the majestic landscape before him.
Located along the northern shore of Qinghai Lake, Shengquan Bay in Gangcha County is a popular scenic area. Upon arrival, local residents warmly presented white khatas (ceremonial scarves) as a gesture of welcome and goodwill toward the Olympians.
“This place is so beautiful—the lake has three distinct colors, and the waves are magnificent,” Lin commented while taking pictures with his phone. “I didn’t expect to feel the sea breeze here in the northwest, and there are so many seagulls—it’s like they aren’t afraid of humans, probably because they’re used to interaction.”
Liang Yushuang, visiting Qinghai for the first time, was enveloped by the locals’ hospitality. Surrounded by residents in traditional costumes, he joined in the folk dance known as Guozhuang. “They welcomed us with their simple songs and beautiful dances. Dancing with them not only allowed me to experience the local culture but also warmed me up through movement. It felt great for both body and soul,” he shared.
Standing by the shores of Qinghai Lake, Liang expressed his satisfaction with the journey. “This trip to Qinghai has left a deep impression on me. Not only is there delicious beef and lamb, but the scenery is breathtaking, and the friends I’ve met are so warm. If I have the chance, I would definitely come back again,” he said, before happily taking selfies with the locals at their invitation.
