Her mornings began with running or gym sessions. Days were filled with surfing, paddleboarding, and rock climbing. Afternoons consisted of more training, while evenings were filled with watching the sunset over the sea, dining, drinking, and dancing with new friends.

Qi is one of countless young people who flooded Wanning this summer. They call it "going to sports school" — but there are no gates, no uniforms and no diplomas. It's a lifestyle shaped by social media where gyms, surf clubs, paddleboard camps, beach volleyball courts, coastal cafes, bars, and long-term holiday rentals cluster together.

Sportcation is a travel model that integrates training, leisure, and social interaction, placing physical activity at the core of the holiday experience.

In China, the sportcation hashtag has generated over 40 million views. During the 2026 May Day holiday, searches for sportcation-related keywords surged 130 percent year-on-year, according to data from online travel platform Fliggy and social media platforms like Xiaohongshu (RedNote).