Competition is due to begin tomorrow and will take place until Monday (January 9), with lead and speed events being contested.

Both the lead and speed competitions will be taking place in different locations, with the venue for the latter being within sight of the Great Wall of China.

The finals for speed will take place on Sunday (January 8), with lead competition drawing to a close the following day.

“We are delighted that the UIAA Ice Climbing World Tour is making a stop in China,” said Frits Vrijlandt, UIAA President.

“The athletes will have a wonderful time, the setting is first class and facilities excellent.

“With the 2022 Winter Olympic Games taking place in Beijing, this is a significant step for the sport and its ambition to become part of the Olympic programme.”

The event has been organised in conjunction with the Chinese Mountaineering Association and follows on from the opening competition of the series in Colorado.

South Korea’s Shin Woonseon and Russia’s Alexey Dengin emerged as winners in the United States and will hope to repeat their feats at the series begins its Asian leg.

When competition concludes in Beijing, athletes will then head to Cheongsong in South Korea for the third event of the season.

A total of five World Cup stages will take place ahead of the UIAA World Championships, which will be held in Champagny-en-Vanoise, France from February 4 to 5.

The next leg of the World Cup will be held in Cheongsong, South Korea, on January 14 and 15.