The Oriental Pearl Tower hosts a climbing event on Jan 1. [Photo/CFP]

Over 1,200 people participated in a climbing event at the Oriental Pearl Tower in Shanghai on Jan 1.

The event, now in its 29th year, was themed "growing toward the sun, chasing after the light". It aimed to demonstrate the spirit of "striving upward" in the new year.

Participants competed among four categories to reach the landmark tower's 259-meter-high and 90-meter-high outdoor sightseeing corridors.

He Liangliang, a middle school physical education teacher from Taizhou, Jiangsu province, clinched the men's group title for the fourth time, reaching the 259-meter corridor in 10 minutes and 46 seconds.

Wu Jincai, a 47-year-old Shanghai resident who has joined the event 16 times, came in second in the men's group. "On the first day of the new year, I hope to face life with an uplifting attitude," he said.

Similar New Year's climbs and runs were also staged in other parts of Shanghai, including Sheshan National Tourist Resort in Songjiang district, Dishui Lake in the Lin-gang Special Area of China (Shanghai) Pilot Free Trade Zone, Dianshan Lake in Qingpu district and Shanghai International Circuit in Jiading district. They represent wishes for health and happiness in the new year.