Chongli determined not to skate on thin ice

Chongli, a county in Zhangjiakou, Hebei province, has attracted growing attention since Beijing and Zhangjiakou were named as the co-hosts of the 2022 Winter Olympics a year ago.

"It's only 220 km from Beijing, but you can feel the totally different climate here," said Wang Shulan, a Beijinger who, along with her husband, is spending three months in the county, which will be the venue for snow-based events. "Instead of the hot, dry climate in the capital, the weather here is cool and comfortable."

"The success of the 2022 Winter Olympics will mainly depend on Zhangjiakou," said Ma Yujun, the city's mayor, on Thursday.