10/06/2026
China Leg 3 - Chongli (The Olympic Venue)
So we've left Beijing, and Jumping and I are going over our talking points on the high speed train to Chongli District in Zhangjiakou.
Chongli hosted the majority of the snow events during the 2022 Winter Olympics. There are actually a number of ski resorts in the area, but Yunding / Genting Resort is where the actual events were held, and it was pretty exciting to be able to tour the grounds and see the halfpipe and freestyle venues, locations I watched for hours on end during the Olympics!
Jumping and I were preparing because this was not the first time that Genting has tested the waters with Disc Golf, it's actually the third. This was our chance to show why the other attempts hadn't panned out and what it meant to work with a proper design firm which specializes in finding solutions to unique problems, one which can balance the needs of the sport with the needs and goals of the property owner.
During one of our video sessions, we were filming at the top of the mountain, which many visitors tour for sightseeing, demonstrating some putting practice with a portable basket. Over time, more and more people began to come see what we were doing, and started picking up the loose discs to give it a try. We ended up with 20+ spectators of all ages, all enchanted by the game. At one point a grandmother was giving it a try and made a couple 20' putts, much to the crowds enjoyment, as they all erupted in cheers every time one went in.... you couldn't buy this kind of organic marketing!
Jumping and I met with Genting Resorts management, and it couldn't have gone better. Despite my language barrier, we were able to demonstrate our knowledge and passion, our understanding of what a viable solution might look like, and a strong long term growth plan. Our quick lunch plan turned into a full day excursion to another resort, a couple hours at a driving range (I had mentioned my families golf heritage, read more here: https://fluentdisc.com/en/The-Company/Roots-in-Golf/), a trip up the mountain so we could walk down a ski run covered in Lavender, Poppies, and Chrysanthemums (this was magical!). We finished off the day with a traditional dinner, and a desire on all sides to continue our work together!
The mountains where Genting Resort is located are actually just south of Inner Mongolia, and are much more like Canada's Laurentian mountains than the Rockies. They have soft tops, lots of plateaus and relatively low slope areas, with mixed lower height vegetation and higher alpine style forests. It makes for pristine disc golf terrain with unparalleled views!
I spent a final morning scouting the mountain in the areas I'd identified earlier as our target course footprint. Our long term goal is a phased build of what will eventually be a mixed destination-style course for travelling players and event hosting (think PDGA Asia Tour, Chinese Nationals), and a short and approachable, low impact, active family friendly attraction that is capable of delivering a constant flow of novice players through a fun and safe environment.
China is a country that when it gets behind a sport, goes all in. So being able to put Disc Golf in front of a new audience in an area that sees more than 10 million summer visitors per year, as they escape the summer heat of Beijing, is not only a tremendous opportunity for Fluent, it's a chance to be involved in what we hope will be the spark that ignites the sport in China.
One more post to follow, stay tuned!
