Feature: Vibrant cultural, sports experience in "dual ascendancy city"

NANNING, Nov. 22 (Xinhua) -- As the final whistle blew, a wave of sustained applause filled Guojing Stadium of Pingguo City. Last Sunday evening, a friendly match between the Hong Kong Elite Star football team and the Guangxi Pingguo Haliao reignited the football fervor in this vibrant city.

Pingguo, a county-level city nestled in Baise, south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, has made impressive strides in football.

In 2021, the city launched the Guangxi Pingguo Haliao and the Guangxi Pingguo Beinong through strategic partnerships and investments. Both the Haliao men's team and the Beinong women's team successfully climbed the ranks that same year, solidifying Pingguo's reputation as a notable "dual ascendancy city" in the sport.

In 2023, Pingguo hosted 15 home matches for the Haliao team in China League One (Chinese second-tier league), attracting over 15,000 fans per game, making it the most popular venue in that season's league. Attending football matches in Pingguo quickly became a beloved pastime for both locals and visitors.

In response to this surge in football enthusiasm, the city is diligently working to engage visitors and ensure that fans can enjoy a unique blend of culture, sports, and tourism.

"To accommodate the growing number of fans, we upgraded the stadium after the 2023 season," said Pingguo mayor Guo Jia, adding that the stadium's capacity was increased from 20,000 to 30,000, along with enhancements to lighting and other facilities.

To enrich the experience for fans and tourists, every match in Pingguo featured various local customs and intangible cultural heritage performances during the 2024 season.

On the field, players fiercely compete for the ball while the stands pulse with spirited songs and enthusiastic interaction. Outside the stadium, excitement builds as people from all walks of life prepare for the festivities.

After the games, the Chaoyang night market in Pingguo is just as lively and bustling. Local vendor Wei Lihao has noticed the surge in fan enthusiasm and is considering expanding his business by renting another stall.

"It's become a trend for people to gather with friends or even new acquaintances to enjoy some grilled skewers together after watching games. The post-game business is thus picking up," said Wei.

The night market is divided into three sections: street food and dining, fruits, and clothing and general merchandise, boasting over 300 stalls with an occupancy rate exceeding 80 percent.

Yan Yong, who manages the night market, regularly strolls through to gather feedback from diners. "As the management team, we need to keep innovating and make sure that fans and visitors can genuinely enjoy the lively atmosphere of the night market," he said.

Thanks to the thriving football scene in Pingguo, a nearby hotel has experienced a significant rise in occupancy rates over the past two years.

According to Zhao Bin, the hotel manager, guests are increasingly opting for longer stays, shifting from "just one night" to "multiple nights." "Besides coming for the games, there are now many more tourism options available, which really help us keep our guests around," said Zhao. ■