Beneath Ming Dynasty walls and alongside the UNESCO-listed Grand Canal, Xun County Ancient City echoes with a new sound: the crisp pop of pickleball paddles.

"Think badminton's court, tennis's net, and table tennis's paddle—a three-in-one sport anyone can learn," says local PE teacher Li Xiaoning. This accessibility has made pickleball the engine of Xun County's "cultural tourism plus sports" strategy, transforming a millennium-old heritage site into a vibrant destination.

Designated "China's City of Pickleball" in 2023, Hebi has exploded onto the national scene. The recent "Encounter Hebi: Pickleball Festival Series", staged as a featured event of 18th Central Plains (Hebi) Folk Culture Festival, drew nearly 1,000 participants, while the county's "15-minute fitness circle" puts courts within walking distance for all residents.

The fusion extends beyond facilities. February's festival featured the "Pickleball Dragon"—an illuminated dragon blending traditional shehuo (traditional folk celebrations featuring dragon dances and stilt-walking during Chinese festivals) dance with sports elements. Song Kaizhan, a Xun County craftsman and inheritor of the Nigugu (clay whistle figurines) intangible cultural heritage, reimagined the centuries-old craft as "Pickle Xiao Ke," a serving-posed doll. "Heritage must evolve," he insists.

Post-match, players explore ancient streets, sampling Zimo (stuffed flatbread) and eight-bowl feasts. A 300-acre digital park is rising, with local manufacturer ranking among the top-ten global sellers.

From policy blueprint to reality, Xun County proves a "small ball" can energize ancient walls—one rally at a time.

(By Qi Chenjiong)

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Company Name: XUN COUNTY
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City: Hebi
Country: China
Website: https://www.xunxian.gov.cn/zfxxgk/fdzdgknr/xzzfxx/jxfzhggwyhjxlshwzcbjfbfbfbfb/index.html