A bird's-eye view of the Tonglu Equestrian Center. [Photo/zj.zjol.com.cn]

The Tonglu Equestrian Center in Tonglu county, Hangzhou, East China's Zhejiang province, recently received initial approval from the 19th Asian Games Hangzhou 2022 Organizing Committee, local media reported on Jan 4.

Construction of the center is nearly complete. Its racing track will be designed by international designers and receive approval from the International Equestrian Federation and Asian Equestrian Federation before trial operations in March.

Viewed from above, the equestrian center is shaped like the Chinese character "馬" (meaning "horse"). With an overall floor space of 54,000 square meters, the center includes a main venue, an indoor training ground, a 5-kilometer cross-country racing track, 240 stables, and 3,104 seats.

A rendering of the Tonglu Equestrian Center. [Photo/zj.zjol.com.cn]

The center will host the equestrian dressage, show jumping and triathlon competitions of the 19th Asian Games Hangzhou 2022 and hand out six gold medals.

"A challenge in hosting Hangzhou 2022's equestrian events is the establishment of an internationally recognized epidemic-free zone," said Zhou Haijing, deputy head of Tonglu county.

The equestrian arena has been equipped with animal health inspection stations, an animal isolation field and other facilities since construction began in July 2019. It is expected to be approved by the World Organization for Animal Health in March, Zhou added.