Xing Zhiyuan believes ice climbing is more exhilarating than conquering the world's highest peak. He should know.

The 42-year-old surmounted Qomolangma - called Mount Everest in the West - in May. But he says scaling ice has taken him to greater heights at lower altitudes.

"Ice climbing is more difficult and exciting," he explains, clasping a hot cup of tea after descending from a 30-meter-high ice wall in suburban Beijing's Yunmeng Valley.