Chasing thrills, defying limits

"Understanding the sport, its risks, and undergoing adequate training are essential prerequisites," said Li Jiaxi, who has dabbled in skiing, skydiving, cliff diving, and recently learned rappelling techniques.

Rappelling is both a stand-alone training activity and a valuable skill applicable to extreme sports like mountain hiking and caving, as well as professional scenarios involving firefighters and rescue personnel, according to Li Jiaxi.

In his opinion, most extreme sports demand a great deal of time and financial investment.

"Climbing a 3,000-meter-high mountain requires months of physical training and learning skills like rappelling, which can take one to two weeks to learn and months to master," Li Jiaxi noted. "The equipment can cost tens of thousands of yuan, which exceeds many people's budgets."

According to Li Yuxuan, skydiving began to gain traction in China in 2017 and saw significant growth starting in 2020, with provinces like Hainan in South China actively promoting the sport. Tandem jumps typically cost between 2,000 and 4,000 yuan ($272.81 and $545.62), depending on the location and altitude. For experienced jumpers with their own equipment, however, the cost is usually just a few hundred yuan per jump.