Northern city of Zhangjiakou dreams of hosting 2022 Winter Olympic Games

Zhangjiakou has the grim complexion of many small Chinese cities. Grey cement complexes loom over crowded shopping malls while its narrow streets teem with German and Japanese cars.

But this little place 200 kilometres to the northwest of Beijing has greater ambitions. Local officials want to welcome athletes from the world over to ski down its slopes in nearby Chongli county. The former military base hopes to join Beijing in hosting the Winter Olympics in 2022.

The bid is part of Beijing's greater quest to foster economic development in the city in Hebei province.

"Our ultimate goal is to develop Zhangjiakou into a world-class tourism destination, a Davos of the east," says Zhang Chunsheng, director of Zhangjiakou's bid office for the 2022 Winter Olympics. As if to echo his words, the city has decorated its streets with snowflake-shaped lights and huge billboards that broadcast the lofty desires of the county: "Chongli: Davos of the east!"

Local officials say the region's ambitions are not so odd. Zhangjiakou once played international roles, first as a gateway to Russia and Mongolia in China's booming horse and fur trade. Later, the city served as a garrison to ward off encroachment from the Soviet Union.

Few Chinese know that the city hosted sports in ancient China, such as the hammer, rope skipping and wrestling.