That passion is boosted by a prevailing soccer culture and adequate infrastructure. Rongjiang County, with fewer than 400,000 permanent residents, has 14 standard soccer fields and nearly 40 amateur teams with more than 1,200 players.

"It's truly a soccer match of the people," said Wang Lina, a tourist from the Inner Mongolia autonomous region. "The players and spectators are all immersed in the simple joy of the sport."

In the fully packed stadium, avid fans waved flags, shouted and beat drums, gongs and even pans to raise the players' morale.

"This passionate crowd and the beautiful landscape of Rongjiang are my best memories of this summer," said Zhang Shunfu, 60, as he tried to cool himself with a fan.

Rongjiang is a community where more than 80 percent of the residents are members of ethnic groups, like the Miao, Dong, Shui or Yao.

At halftime, an ethnic Dong chorus captivated the audience with their a cappella rendition of folk songs. "I didn't understand any of the lyrics, but I was deeply moved by their beautiful voices, and I can feel their love for life," said Wang Jia, a tourist hailing from Xi'an, in Shaanxi province.