The Zoucheng cycling race fuels the city with vibrancy. [Photo/WeChat account: shandongehngtiyuju]

The 2025 Zoucheng cycling race began Sept 14 at the Mencius Temple in Zoucheng, Jining. As the third leg of the seventh annual pilgrimage cycling series, the 100-kilometer challenge attracted 943 cyclists from Henan, Jiangsu, Hebei, Shandong, and other provinces.

The race route along the Zoudong road, said to be as hard as the Sichuan-Xizang route and thus dubbed the "Little Sichuan-Xizang" line, offered a unique experience combining cycling challenges, cultural exploration, fitness, and rural vitalization.

The 100-kilometer route began at the south square of Mencius Temple and passed through several cultural landmarks, including the Mencius Temple and the Meng Family Mansion scenic areas. Along the way, seven checkpoints named after the "six arts" recommended by Confucius offered both supplies and cultural displays. The core section, the "Little Sichuan-Xizang" line, stretched 30 km from Sanxian Mountain in the north to Phoenix Mountain in the south, featuring challenging twists and turns and stunning natural scenery.

The event has become a model for the integration of sports, culture, and tourism. It not only promoted local economic development but also boosted cultural confidence.