Tianzhushan in Anhui Wins Over Russian Visitors
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2026-08-26Xinhua News Agency, Hefei, August 26 — Feature: Tianzhushan in Anhui Wins Over Russian Visitors
By Xinhua reporters Chen Shangying, Zhao Jinzheng, and Cheng Xiao
Early in the morning, just as the sun climbed over the mountaintops, Sasha had already risen to walk and exercise in an open area among the hills. Layer upon layer of green mountains surrounded her, with only birdsong rising and falling around her. The 26-year-old Russian visitor was deeply captivated on her first visit to Tianzhushan in Qianshan, Anhui Province.
“It is quieter here than in a big city. I can learn martial arts and health-preservation practices, enjoy beautiful scenery, and feel completely at ease,” Sasha said.
On August 21, Russian martial arts enthusiast Sasha (front) and her parents practice martial arts in Qianshan, Anhui Province. Photo by Xinhua reporter Chang Nengjia.
Located in southwestern Anhui, Tianzhushan rises to nearly 1,500 meters above sea level. It is a UNESCO Global Geopark and a national-level scenic area. For many years, waves of Russian visitors have traveled here. They are drawn not only by the beautiful mountains and waters, but also by Chinese traditional culture passed down through the centuries.
According to Shu Hanbing, a member of the Standing Committee of the Qianshan Municipal Party Committee and Deputy Director of the Tianzhushan Scenic Area Administrative Committee, Tianzhushan’s connection with Russia began through the international promotion of Chinese culture. More than four decades ago, local martial arts practitioners traveled abroad for performances, planting the seeds of cultural exchange in Russia. Since then, growing numbers of Russians have come to Tianzhushan to study martial arts. Today, Russian visitors remain among the largest groups of international tourists to Tianzhushan, totaling nearly 20,000 visits annually.
By his second week at Tianzhushan, Sasha’s father, Yevgeny, had already grown used to life in the mountains. Usually immersed in demanding work, he found himself able to set aside his fast-paced routine here. “Practicing martial arts helps me relax both physically and mentally. The friendly atmosphere has also left a deep impression on me. Although we do not share a language with local people, we can communicate simply through smiles,” he said.
On August 21, Russian martial arts enthusiast Igor (front) practices martial arts in Qianshan, Anhui Province. Photo by Xinhua reporter Chang Nengjia.
For many Russians, their connection with Tianzhushan has lasted decades. Years ago, martial arts enthusiast Igor first became connected with Tianzhushan through martial arts in Russia, and that bond led him to make his first journey here. Now, he visits almost three or four times a year, staying anywhere from more than ten days to nearly a month at a time. He has long regarded Tianzhushan as his “second hometown.”
Igor told reporters that he has traveled to many parts of China and studied acupuncture systematically at Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine. He is now planning to establish an international martial arts base in China, hoping to introduce more overseas visitors to Chinese traditional culture.
The person who first brought Igor to Tianzhushan was Liu Wenqin, a martial arts instructor in Qianshan. By his rough estimate, more than 3,000 international students from over 20 countries have studied with him over the past two decades, with Russian learners accounting for the largest share.
“After staying for a while, Russian students begin drinking Qianshan tea and eating mountain dishes. Before long, they adapt to the lifestyle of mountain residents,” Liu said. Many long-time students return year after year, and the teacher-student relationship has grown beyond that of ordinary instructors and learners into something more like ongoing family friendship.
After completing another martial arts training session, Sasha told reporters that she plans to continue her studies in China with a doctoral degree in global communication.
“I want to share what I have seen and felt in China with more people,” she said with a smile.