Photo: Cui Meng/GT

Stepping outside the venues of the World Games 2025 Chengdu, I was drawn to the city's atmosphere. The excitement of the Games seemed to spill into every corner of the city. Chengdu, Southwest China's Sichuan Province, has become a popular summer travel destination, with the vitality outside the arenas just as impressive as the competitions themselves.

According to data from Trip.com, inbound visitors to Chengdu during the Games (August 7-17) increased by more than 31 percent ­year-on-year. Events related to the World Games attracted more than 1 million participants, as the enthusiasm for sports blended seamlessly with the city's booming tourism.

"This is my first time in Chengdu for the World Games' drone racing event. The competition is intense on the track, but the energy off the track is just as vibrant," German athlete Arvin Schroder, a competitor in Air Sports Drone Racing, told the Global Times.

Schroder added that the supporting tourism and services for the Games were well in place, and that he could feel the youthful and open spirit of the city, "a truly special experience," as he described it.

Near the competition venues, a thick guestbook at the volunteer service desk drew my attention. On one page was the handwriting of another German athlete. He had drawn a plump panda and wrote alongside it: "Thank you, friends in Chengdu. Every day here feels like being cared for by family. The weather is hot, but your smiles make me feel cool."

"We never expect visitors to leave anything," Zhou Yuwei, a volunteer from Sichuan University, told the Global Times. "But when someone takes the time to stop, sketch a panda, and write heartfelt words, we feel that all our efforts are truly worthwhile."

At the closing ceremony, I had the chance to observe the backstage operations up close. Wu Xian, chief director of both the opening and closing ceremonies, explained to me that holding the event in a fully open-air setting was both an opportunity and a test.

"The stage, audience seating, and entrance passages were all arranged within a garden, creating a fresh viewing experience. But the strong sunlight, sudden rain showers, and high temperatures posed real challenges for both performers and staff," he said.

Backstage, I met Hu Rui­ming, a flag bearer volunteer from Sichuan Communication University. He had been involved in preparations and rehearsals since early May, going through countless rounds of training and drills.

"Through my role as a flag bearer, I realized how important perseverance and endurance are. They not only helped me complete my tasks here but also made me more disciplined in my studies and daily life," Hu told the Global Times. 

"I volunteered at the Chengdu Universiade as a freshman, and now standing in front of the cameras again at the World Games, I can feel how much this experience has helped me grow, making me braver and more confident."

From the stage crafted by the directors, to the precise work of volunteers and technical teams, to the participation of everyday citizens and visitors, Chengdu presented itself as a city that is full of warmth. Beyond the competitions, the Games made the city come alive, leaving participants with vivid and tangible memories.