Asian Games mascots Congcong, Lianlian and Chenchen travelled to Yinchuan to promote the Asian Games in Hangzhou ©Hangzhou 2022

Rain has failed to dampen enthusiasm in the Chinese city of Yinchuan in the Ningxia region, as local fitness walkers and athletes took part in a display designed to promote the Asian Games in Hangzhou this September.

Yinchuan is 2,000 kilometres from the Games host city Hangzhou, but earlier this month it was named in the top ten of China’s most beautiful cities.

The area is designated as an autonomous region.

The Ningxia Culture and Tourism Department have announced a series of incentives for tourists from Hangzhou and the surrounding region of Zhejiang to visit Ningxia Hui.

Cultural and tourism consumption coupons are to be issued to those living in Hangzhou.

"Ningxia will take the Asian Games as an opportunity to deepen cooperation with Zhejiang in cultural exchange, national fitness and opening up as well as to further promote Ningxia-featured brands," an official Nanjing 2022 statement said.

The event in Yinchuan was the latest in a series of events designed to promote the Asian Games in Hangzhou ©Hangzhou 2022
The event in Yinchuan was the latest in a series of events designed to promote the Asian Games in Hangzhou ©Hangzhou 2022

Events included a session at Ningxia Library attended by local schoolchildren, where officials from the Organising Committee promoted Asian Games culture and fitness.

A tree-planting initiative in Zhongwei City, 200 kilometres south of Yinchuan was also announced.

Mascots Congcong, Lianlian and Chenchen joined the day's events which formed part of a promotional campaign held across ten cities and regions in China.

Last week, International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach visited installations in Hangzhou and insisted they were "operationally ready" to stage the Games.

The Games were postponed from last year as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

They are now scheduled to open on September 23.