Building dreams: Infrastructure fuels grassroots soccer
How long does it take to move from winter to summer? For fans from Diqing Tibetan autonomous prefecture in northwest Yunnan province, the answer is 10 hours — just enough time to travel across the province to Mengla, a border county in its far south, and cheer for their soccer team in a Yunnan Super League match.
China Daily reporter Yan An followed these fans on their journey south, documenting what once seemed an impossible trip — now made possible by the infrastructure of today's China.
Trains winding through mountains, stadiums rising from the ground, wind turbine blades turning in the breeze — these are not merely engineering achievements in recent years. They are also China's heartfelt responses to the people's aspirations for a better life.
As this year's two sessions are about to convene, the draft of the 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-30) for national economic and social development will be reviewed. In the years ahead, more stories like this will unfold across the country.
The journey continues. High five, China!






















