Leaping between towering buildings, flipping across steep staircases—when parkour (also known as "art du déplacement") meets the "8D Mountain City," these athletes turn Chongqing's vertical terrain into one of the coolest natural training grounds. With the city as their canvas and their bodies as brushes, they transform its dizzying elevation gaps, even baffling to navigation apps, into breathtaking extreme performance.
"Seventeen years of parkour in Chongqing—still an able body" is the video description on coach Wen Shunyao's social media. Once a self-proclaimed "sports weakling" who failed his middle school physical exams (including the 50-meter dash), he now can effortlessly execute backflips and kong vaults, even ranking fourth in national parkour competitions.
He shared the key element of mountain-city parkour: meticulously scout the terrain, test every handhold and foothold for stability, and ensure safe landing spots for every move...
Wen recalled a near-disaster when he missed a step on a staircase and instantly fell from a great height. At that moment, his body made a controlled roll, allowing him to land unscathed. "It was then I realized—years of training had hardwired my muscles for self-preservation."
Inspired by David Belle's iconic scene in District 13—where the protagonist kicks through a window-through move, shattering the glass window with both feet, fluidly passing through the frame—Wen emphasized that every 0.1-second reflex is forged through relentless repetition. "Even someone like me, with mediocre physical foundations, can excel through practice. Anyone committed can reach impressive levels."
Chongqing-Hong Kong parkour synergy
When Victoria Harbour's neon meets the mountain city's fiery nights, two iconic cities unite on the parkour map. For seven years, the Hong Kong-based Asian Parkour Sports Association (APSA) has promoted standardized coaching systems across mainland China. Cities like Beijing, Chongqing, Zhengzhou, and Wenzhou now host APSA-affiliated training hubs, accelerating the sport's growth through instructor certification programs.
"Hong Kong and Chongqing share similar topography—both are stunning at night," noted Wen, whose team, JF Parkour, represents APSA in Southwest China. "Last year, we filmed a parkour video in Central during an APSA exchange."
No reckless stunts
The scars on Wen's knees are badges of rookie mistakes. "Early on, scrapes and sprains were routine. But as my mindset matured, so did my discipline." Mastery, he explained, lies in honest self-assessment—only attempting moves within one's limits to minimize risk.
"Some routes have 100-meter drops, demanding flawless landing techniques," he added, detailing drills like shock absorption, precision jumps, and weighted squats to build leg strength.
Passion fuels persistence
Wen's team has distilled parkour techniques into child-friendly curricula, hoping to integrate the sport into school programs. "I envision popularizing parkour, making it as accessible as school PE classes, where every child can participate. Through parkour practice, they'll gain not just physical skills but also mental resilience—each movement carrying its own life lesson."
"Parkour can be addictive," Wen said with his signature smile, "The act of completing various moves provides emotional value through self-affirmation and recognition. Mastering a new skill brings a sense of accomplishment and pride, which is what keeps me going. Only genuine passion can provide the sustained internal drive needed to maintain motivation in this sport."
In every corner of Chongqing, traceurs measure the city's dimensions with their bodies, transforming difficult stunts into kinetic art. Every rooftop becomes a springboard, each staircase a musical note where they compose an ever-evolving symphony of urban extreme movement across this multidimensional metropolis.
(Reporter: Han Yi; Videography: Sammi, Qian; Editing: Qian; Translator: Zeng Shiwei; English Editor: Darius)
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