In Depth: The Perils Behind China’s Mountain Adventure Craze

Caixin Global · Sun Liangzi Published Oct · 2026-10-23 00:00 UTC

A rush of young hikers and climbers has transformed a once-niche pursuit into a mainstream pastime, but training, regulation and risk awareness are struggling to catch up

1. A fatal incident on Mount Everest's eastern slope in October 2025 illustrates the industry's problems. Zhou Xiaoliang, a trek leader at outdoor company Tububang, saw a hiker swaying on a led horse and suspected cerebral or pulmonary edema from altitude sickness, urging those nearby to make him descend immediately [para. 1][para. 2]. The hiker did not descend, continued on horseback, became disoriented, and died; he had traveled with strangers met online who left him behind [para. 3].

2. China's mountaineering and adventure industry has boomed, but professional standards lag far behind, and deaths and injuries are rising [para. 4][para. 5]. The China Adventure Association's 2025 report found at least 131 deaths, 272 injuries, and 37 missing, with incidents up 41.2% from 2024 [para. 6]. The Chinese Mountaineering Association recorded 244 injuries, 77 fatal accidents, and 36 missing; deaths rose by 36 and disappearances doubled [para. 7]. On Sept. 24, the General Administration of Sport's mountaineering center and the CMA launched a nationwide survey to identify industry risks and regulatory weaknesses [para. 8].

3. The client base has transformed. Outdoor clubs once served experienced clients in their 30s and 40s; a Sichuan guide recalled skilled early climbers who used ropes, camped independently, and even packed out their trash [para. 10][para. 12][para. 14][para. 15]. After 2023, participation skyrocketed among the young: more than 1,000 people — nearly all young — flooded the Gongga Mountains during May Day 2024 [para. 17][para. 18]. Mount Siguniang received 87,000 climbers in 2023 versus about 8,000 annual outdoor participants before 2018 [para. 19]. Aotaina Snow Mountain drew 97,000 in 2025 versus just over 1,000 before 2024 [para. 20]. Deng Feng said students were 70-80% of clients by 2024 [para. 21], and by 2025, those aged 18 to 25 accounted for 64% of adventure participants [para. 22].

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