Government investment

Hunan has recently been investing heavily in the construction of fitness facilities to provide venues for people to exercise.

According to an action plan released by the provincial government, Hunan will invest 39 million yuan ($5.3 million) over three years to build sports fields for rural residents and establish fitness facilities in primary and middle schools in remote areas.

It will also provide subsidies totaling 70 million yuan to stadiums so they can open to the public for free or at a low charge.

The Loudi Sports Center is one of the top sports venues in Hunan, with total investment exceeding 700 million yuan.

To enable more people to enjoy the fun, the city's sports bureau opened the center to the public for free or at a low charge at the end of 2014.

The move raised the center's utilization rate from less than 30 percent to 90 percent, attracting more than 3 million fitness lovers every year.

Zhushan Park in downtown Loudi is nicknamed the city's "green lungs".

Previously, there was only one dirt path leading to the top of a high hill in the park. However, since the city invested 2 million yuan to build a fitness trail and a synthetic running track around the hill, many residents visit the park after dinner to run, cycle or walk.

In Changsha, Hunan's capital, 200 outdoor sports venues — including soccer pitches, basketball courts and multipurpose playgrounds — were set up or rebuilt last year.

Lu Chuyao, a junior middle school student, was delighted to see a basketball court near his home rebuilt last year. "We have new stands and a new floor was laid. My friends and I feel great playing on the new court," he said.