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April 4th, Qingming Festival

Life cannot be as good as you imagine, but it won't be as bad as you think either.

—— @829_Ren Ying

Previously, Wuyan Zu took everyone to see China's top ten running destinations. Now, let's explore the top ten running destinations worldwide. If you happen to be traveling there, why not put on your running shoes and experience it?

No.1Seychelles

Known as one of the most luxurious vacation spots, God's Eden. The Portuguese once called it the 'Seven Sisters Islands,' like the seven fairies in the sky. In fact, there are more than just seven islands; 115 islands of various sizes make Seychelles a gem in the Indian Ocean.

Charming beaches, azure skies, intoxicating seas, and clouds that are considered luxury items in China. Here, you don't even need to adjust the angle for photos. The title of one of the world's top ten tourist spots is well-deserved. Over 50% of the area is designated as a nature reserve. Mahe Island, Praslin Island, La Digue Island, and Bird Island are must-visit places for tourists. For runners, such places are nothing short of paradise.

All beaches in Seychelles are open to the public. Running along the beach by the blue sea, you can quench your thirst with a sea coconut, a specialty of Seychelles. If you can run a lap in May Valley, you might never want to go anywhere else. Located in the center of Praslin Island, May Valley is the world's smallest natural heritage site, with over 7,000 sea coconut trees and many unique flora and fauna.

No.2Xiamen

The only Chinese city on the list. Don't feel bad if it's not your hometown because Xiamen truly is a runner's paradise. Xiamen has a mild and rainy climate, with no extreme heat in summer and no severe cold in winter. The terrain, mainly coastal plains, terraces, and hills, provides excellent conditions for running. But what truly makes it a 'paradise' are the unbeatable sea views and the picturesque scenery of lakes and mountains.

Gulangyu Island, voted the most beautiful urban area in China by National Geographic magazine, is known as the 'Garden on the Sea.' The main track for the Xiamen International Marathon, the Island Ring Road, is acclaimed as the world's most beautiful marathon track. Despite being reduced to full and half marathons in 2015, the Xiamen International Marathon still attracted over 43,000 participants from 53 countries and regions. Tianzhu Mountain Forest Park, built around the mountain, has a dedicated sports park area. Running amidst such beautiful scenery is an experience you can only truly appreciate firsthand.

No.3Hawaii

Mark Twain said, 'No place in the world makes me as infatuated and unforgettable as Hawaii. For twenty years, whether in dreams or awake, Hawaii always haunts me.' Jack London exclaimed, 'To love a beauty, you must see her face; to love a beautiful place, you must visit it; no need to embrace, Hawaii always makes people fall in love at first sight.'

The Hawaiian Islands, formed by 124 small islands and 8 large islands, create a crescent-shaped island chain embedded in the vast blue Pacific Ocean, like a string of pearls. Despite being in the tropics, Hawaii's climate is mild and pleasant, suitable for running all year round. During breaks, you can try local snacks, which might be Japanese sugar-roasted beef, European or British-style sausages, Viennese sausages, Chinese buns, or Korean pastries. Hawaii is known as a 'racial paradise,' as it is home to dozens of ethnic groups from around the world, meaning the people you meet while running are likely to be of mixed race. Even running at night, you won't feel lonely; the hula dances by beautiful girls in the coconut groves and on the beaches might make you stop and be mesmerized.

No.4Chiang Mai

The movie 'Lost in Thailand' made the Thai city of Chiang Mai popular in China. In reality, those who have truly been to Thailand know that not visiting Chiang Mai is like not visiting Thailand at all. The famous singer Teresa Teng had a special fondness for this exotic city and passed away here.

As Thailand's second-largest city, Chiang Mai is located on a small plain surrounded by mountains. The clear and beautiful Mae Ping River flows beside it, and the world-renowned roses are always in bloom. With its northern beauties, unique festivals, centuries-old temples, pleasant climate, and various seasonal fruits, Chiang Mai is like the legendary 'paradise on earth.'

Jogging through the streets of Chiang Mai, your eyes are filled with ancient temples and newly built white buildings, showcasing the classical and elegant charm of the ancient city. Running here feels like a journey through time, sometimes feeling the ancient charm of the city, and other times its modernity. The surrounding mountains create a pleasant climate, attracting the Thai King and Queen to vacation here every year, highlighting its allure.

No.5 Australia's Gold Coast

The Gold Coast is not an adjective; it is a noun exclusive to Australia, just that willful. Located in the middle of the eastern coast of Australia, south of Brisbane, the Gold Coast is a 42-kilometer stretch of golden beaches. The climate here is pleasant, with plenty of sunshine and beautiful scenery. Running here, you will be completely absorbed by the beauty.

Bright sunshine, continuous beaches, blue waters, and romantic palm groves. Even the most demanding runners will be speechless about the environment here. The roads in Natural Bridge Park are all in the forest, and the most famous feature here is the glowing worms. When you see the glowing caves while running at night, that's where the worms gather. Away from the city, without noise, the pure nature makes achieving harmony between man and nature so easy, even involuntary.

No.6Boston

If a running enthusiast doesn't know Boston, they have undoubtedly lost a beacon in their life. The Boston Marathon is one of the city's most famous sporting events, held annually on April 16th, Patriot's Day. It is the world's oldest modern marathon, founded in 1897. The 2013 bombing that injured over 200 people couldn't stop nearly 37,000 marathon enthusiasts from participating in the 2014 race. That's the charm of the Boston Marathon.

The charm of an event is inseparable from its host city. This city, with nearly 400 years of history, is one of the oldest and most culturally valuable cities in the United States. Research, finance, and technology make it a global city. But its urban landscape also retains the purest part of American history. Bunker Hill, Old North Church, Faneuil Hall, and the Boston Public Library have become symbols of the city after years of historical accumulation. Running through the streets of Boston, whether day or night, you can feel the city's hustle and bustle. Music festivals or performances are everywhere, and finding a running buddy is as easy as pie.

No.7Athens

In terms of area, Greece is not the largest; in terms of economy, Greece is not the richest; but in terms of culture and history, most countries in the world pale in comparison. As the capital of Greece, Athens has ample reasons to be on this list.

This is the birthplace of both the ancient and modern Olympic Games, and the marathon originated here. The ancient Athenians were fanatical about sports, and many modern sports were already popular in Athens over 3,000 years ago. Is there a more suitable place for running than the birthplace of this sport?

What would you feel when running past the Parthenon on the Acropolis of Athens? You should know that the sport you are engaging in originated here. Tracing back to its roots, you might imagine the grand scenes of ancient Athenians holding sports events. The goddess Athena might be watching every runner passing by, feeling gratified and proud of the enduring popularity of this sport.

No.8 Amsterdam

Once a fishing village, now a global metropolis, this is not Shenzhen but the more historically rich capital of the Netherlands, Amsterdam. From a fishing village at the end of the 12th century, it became one of the world's most important ports centuries ago. The baptism of world wars has not erased the city's character; it is a microcosm of Dutch history.

Calling it a water city is not an exaggeration because its name comes from 'Amstel Dam,' and 165 canals crisscross the city. Although not as breathtaking as sea views, it has its unique charm. Running along the dikes, you can see 17th-century buildings, canal-side bars, restaurants, clogs, windmills, and tulips, capturing the unique charm of Amsterdam, a city that is both classical and modern.

Of course, you won't miss the opportunity to have a cross-time dialogue with masters. Besides running, you can admire works by masters like Van Gogh, Rembrandt, and Hals. When tired, you can rest at a nearby café and enjoy Dutch leisure. Of course, this is also home to the world's famous red-light district.

No.9Hokkaido

In Feng Xiaogang's 'If You Are the One,' the romantic story of the male and female protagonists takes place in Hokkaido, allowing people to appreciate the picturesque scenery of Hokkaido. Green mountains, blue seas, and colorful landscapes are breathtaking. In reality, what the camera shows is just the tip of the iceberg of Hokkaido's beauty.

Hokkaido has 6 national parks, 5 quasi-national parks, and 12 Hokkaido nature parks, with well-protected and managed natural environments. Nature maintains its wild beauty, with beautiful scenery all year round. Hokkaido's terrain is high in the center and low around, with mountains and mountain ranges in the center, and over 70% forest coverage.

Whether in spring, summer, autumn, or winter, day or night, you can see breathtaking scenery in Hokkaido. The coastline, different from tropical regions, snow-covered green mountains, one of the world's three best night views in Hakodate, and the cherry blossoms in spring that everyone yearns for. The slightly rugged terrain increases the difficulty of running, but in such a city, who would feel tired? The ubiquitous small taverns are perfect places to rest and appreciate the city.

No.10Angkor Wat

In 1586, traveler Antonio da Magdalena introduced Angkor Wat to European historians, describing it as 'unparalleled in its architectural uniqueness, extraordinary and indescribable,' which was dismissed as a tall tale. After all, ancient Greece and Rome made it hard for Europeans to believe there could be greater architecture. It wasn't until 1861, when French biologist Henri Mouhot wrote, 'Leaving the majestic Angkor temples and returning to the human world, it felt like falling from a splendid civilization into the wilderness,' that this mysterious and magnificent place was taken seriously.

Being in Angkor Wat feels like being isolated from the world. Even if you are a fast runner, you will be captivated by the art here. The reliefs, terraces, corridors, steps, and towers are grand and solemn, with exquisite and intricate decorations. Every part is a work of art. Climbing Bakheng Mountain to view the entire Angkor Wat, no one can resist being awed by its grandeur. Even if you pause your run to admire it, it is worth it.

Interactive Topic

Running on the road, the scenery is in your heart. Which city do you like the most? Feel free to leave a comment in the article's comment section and share it with everyone.