Indoor climbing has exploded across China this year, turning urban walls into the ultimate playground for Gen-Z thrill-seekers 🧗♀️.
Earlier this month, former Belgian Prime Minister Yves Leterme joined fans at the Gravity Peak gym in Hangzhou to watch Lu Yao, a 26-year-old physics teacher, conquer the world’s tallest indoor climbing wall. Clocking in at 25 meters, her record-breaking ascent was more than a personal win—it captured the unstoppable energy of a generation hungry for challenge and community 💪.
Why climbing vibes with Gen-Z
From the social-media-friendly aesthetics of bouldering walls to the fierce focus needed for each grip, climbing merges fitness with self-expression. Unlike solo workouts, gym routes are group jams where friends cheer each other on—think of a mini festival, minus the stage lights.
From the Olympics to your neighborhood gym
Since sport climbing made its Olympic debut in Tokyo 2020, interest has skyrocketed. Major cities like Shanghai and Beijing now have dozens of state-of-the-art centers, and the trend is spilling over into South and Southeast Asia. Whether you’re in Jakarta, Delhi, or Manila, climbing gyms are popping up, offering pocket-friendly day passes and weekend workshops.
What’s next?
As more young pros swap screens for chalk bags, climbing is shaping up as both a lifestyle and a community builder. Expect to see even more rooftop climbing bars and night-glow sessions lighting up metro skylines in the coming months 🌃.
For Gen-Z in China and beyond, the future is vertical—and the view from the top has never looked so inspiring.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
