Tobacco and athletics finding mutually beneficial blend in Yunnan plateau city

Asia's largest tobacco production base is shifting its focus to more eco-friendly practices while attempting to reshape its image as one of China's best-known sports training areas, a senior official has said.

"Have you ever dreamed of running a marathon through fields of golden rapeseed flowers? Qujing in Yunnan province makes such a dream come true," said Dong Baotong, the city's mayor.

On March 12, nearly 8,000 runners from 36 countries and regions took part in the 2018 Rock 'n' Roll Marathon in the city's Luoping county, which is renowned for its sea of rapeseed flowers that reaches full bloom each spring.