Over 60 years ago, people's daily activities mainly consisted of herding or manual labor, with occasional traditional folk activities such as Guozhuang dance (a traditional Tibetan circle dance) and horse racing. There were hardly any large-scale sports facilities in cities, and the concept of "fitness" was entirely absent.

From the opening of the Lhasa People's Stadium in 1960 to 2025, the total number of sports venues in the city has surpassed 2,200, marking the rapid development of the fitness-for-all cause on the snowy plateau.

In 1960, Lhasa built its first modern sports facility—the Lhasa People's Stadium—which became the primary venue for cadres and the public to exercise and watch competitions. Initially, the facilities were rudimentary, featuring only a track and field area, a grass football field, and a small number of basketball courts. Over time, it underwent multiple renovations and expansions, gradually enhancing its functionality and service capacity.

This stadium not only holds Lhasa's earliest sports memories but also serves as the starting point for sports development on the plateau.

Entering a new era, the construction of sports venues in Lhasa has accelerated. Data shows that as of May 2025, the total area of sports venues in the city has reached 2.0827 million square meters, with a per capita sports venue area of 2.42 square meters.

Currently, Lhasa boasts 583 basketball courts, 209 football fields, 393 table tennis courts, and 100 badminton courts, with the number of swimming venues increasing to six. Additionally, 435 fitness trails, 175 gyms, and 29 fitness trails are distributed across communities and townships, enabling residents to exercise right at their doorstep.

"The public's demand for fitness is no longer about 'whether there are facilities' but about 'how good and convenient they are,'" said Ge Tongrong, deputy director of Lhasa Sports Bureau. He added that Lhasa is accelerating the establishment of a "15-minute fitness circle," aiming to ensure that residents can find a suitable fitness space within a 15-minute walk from their homes.

The Lhasa Mass Culture and Sports Center, a key public fitness venue built in recent years, integrates facilities for swimming, badminton, table tennis, football, basketball, and more. Since its opening in 2014, it has received an average of over 1,000 visitors daily.

Among its facilities, the center's natatorium is one of the largest and most comprehensive public aquatic sports venues in Xizang Autonomous Region, featuring a standard swimming pool, a hydrotherapy pool, a children's pool, and other functional areas. "In the past, public swimming venues in Lhasa were scarce, and most people had to resort to expensive commercial facilities if they wanted to swim. Now, this affordable, open, and well-equipped venue truly serves the public," said Li Shumao, the natatorium's manager.

In addition to improving facilities, Lhasa has continuously stimulated public enthusiasm for fitness by hosting mass sports events, fostering an atmosphere of "promoting fitness through competitions."

In the first five months of 2025 alone, the Lhasa Mass Culture and Sports Center provided venues and services for 1,077 large-scale events, receiving over 120,000 fitness enthusiasts.

Moreover, several urban parks in the city have become "natural fitness venues." More and more residents are choosing to "get active" in nature, making sports not just a competitive pursuit but an integral part of daily life.

Sixty years ago, Lhasa residents danced Guozhuang on the grasslands; today, basketball courts and gyms are readily available. Sports are no longer confined to venues but have integrated with people's livelihoods, intertwined with the vibrancy of daily life, and become a reflection of the city's warmth.

This transformation from "Guozhuang dance on the grasslands to fitness for all" is a microcosm of Lhasa's economic and social development, improved public services, and enhanced quality of life for its residents. On the plateau, this high-altitude city is embracing the future of fitness for all with greater vigor and vitality.

Reporter: Mingji, Feng Linlin, Phuntsog Norkyi

Translator: Zhi Xinghua

Review: Phurbu Tsering, Drakpa Wangchen