The highly anticipated 13th Namtso Lake Hiking Festival, part of the 2019 Lhasa Shoton Festival in China, came to a successful end on August 29.Meet in Namtso and experience ultimate beauty.Compared to previous editions, this year’s Namtso Lake Hiking Festival has been upgraded in multiple aspects, attracting over 240 participants from across the country, including nearly 160 from outside the region.The event spanned six days and was divided into four major themed routes. Let’s take a quick look at the exciting highlights!
"Discover Lhasa" Themed Urban Orienteering Race
On August 25, around 9 a.m., numerous hiking participants gradually gathered at Parking Lot No. 3 of the Princess Wencheng Live-Action Theater.
Participants gathered neatly in front of the stage according to their groups.
Golden sunlight gently shone on everyone’s shoulders, with the azure sky above and the ancient land beneath their feet. The hikers gathered in small groups, their eyes filled with anticipation as they discussed the journey ahead.
A participant shows a small national flag to the camera.
Capturing beautiful moments with a mobile phone.
In addition to offering richer content and formats compared to previous years, this festival also specially invited Mr. Zou Kai, the Chinese male athlete with the most Olympic gold medals, to attend the event.
At the event, Zou Kai made an initiative to all participants:
First, walk healthily.We should delight our body and mind, exercise within our limits, engage in moderate activity, and care for one another.
Second, walk safely.We should follow the order, cooperate with guides, show mutual courtesy, and ensure smooth passage.
Third, walk greenly.We should protect the environment and actively participate in environmental protection initiatives.
Olympic champion Zou Kai waves a flag.
With the conclusion of the departure ceremony, the hikers embarked on the first event of the festival—the urban orienteering race.
Olympic champion Zou Kai led all participants to gather at the starting archway.
Accompanied by a crisp and melodious whistle, the participants dashed through the gate and set off on the "Discover Lhasa" themed urban orienteering race.
By visiting seven iconic "check-in points," participants connected Lhasa’s most representative historical sites with new urban landmarks, allowing them to explore history and wander into the future on foot.
Each participant used the map in the task handbook to locate check-in points and chose their own mode of transportation. Whether by electric scooter, bus, taxi, or even on foot or bicycle, participants autonomously selected their travel methods to complete the check-in tasks, using their eyes to discover the city’s beauty, their hearts to feel its tranquility, and their cameras to record every tender moment of this ancient city.
The seven check-in points—Cizhonglin, Nanshan Park (to find the “Reflection of the Potala Palace”), the Urban Planning Exhibition Hall (for a photo with the Potala Palace bronze sculpture), Potala Palace Square (celebrating the 70th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China with “I Love My Country”), Barkhor Street (exploring the former site of the Qing government’s Tibetan Office), the Qinghai-Tibet and Sichuan-Tibet Highway Monument (commemorating the great achievements of 60 years of democratic reform in Tibet), and Norbulingka (admiring the Tibetan-style garden park)—collectively showcase Lhasa’s ancient charm and modern vibrancy. In addition,these check-in points highlight Lhasa’s blend of old and new. Moreover,the event also presented the tremendous social development achievements of Lhasa over just a few decades in the form of “milestone markers” along the hiking route, aiming to help participants gain a deeper understanding of Lhasa and Tibet.
The five-star red flag stands out prominently on Potala Palace Square.
Deeply attracted by the Lhasa City Story Wall
Giving a thumbs-up to happy Lhasa
The happy city—Lhasa—touched every team member
Fixed check-in points were well-organized
In the sunlit city of Lhasa, groups of “little orange figures” were scattered about, adding much vitality to the place.
The first participant to arrive at the finish certification point
Participants arrived one after another
Could hardly hide their joy after completing the race
Medical staff conducted health checks for the finishers
Measuring the ancient city of Lhasa step by step, witnessing historical changes, and wandering through visions of the future. On August 25th, the city orienteering event themed “Discover Lhasa” came to a successful close.