On June 19, the press conference for the 2013 China International Camping Congress (Xinjiang Station) was held in Hejing County. Organized by the Mountaineering Sports Management Center of the General Administration of Sport of China and the Sports Bureau of the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, and hosted by the Chinese Mountaineering Association, the Mountaineering Sports Management Center of Xinjiang, the Xinjiang Mountaineering Association, and the People's Government of Hejing County, with co-organization by the Bureau of Culture, Sports and Tourism of the Bayingolin Mongol Autonomous Prefecture and the Tourism Bureau of the Bayingolin Mongol Autonomous Prefecture, this camping congress is scheduled to take place from August 9 to 11 in Bayinbuluke Town, Hejing County, Bayingolin Prefecture.
This camping congress, as an aid-Xinjiang project of the General Administration of Sport of China, is one of the national large-scale outdoor events approved by the General Administration of Sport of China and the People's Government of the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, as well as one of the major series of outdoor activities prioritized by the Mountaineering Sports Management Center of the General Administration of Sport of China and the Chinese Mountaineering Association. The congress features two main categories—sports competitions and leisure activities—with 12 sub-events. The sports competitions include mountain cross-country races, grassland orienteering, and horse and vehicle racing, while leisure activities comprise tent pitching, slacklining, darts, beer drinking, and herders' competitions (such as horse lassoing, picking hada on horseback, horse taming, yak riding, and calf lassoing).
Zu Long・Kelimu, Deputy Director of the Sports Bureau of the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, introduced that they have successfully hosted the 2011 and 2012 China International Camping Congress (Xinjiang Station) in the Tianshan Grand Canyon in Urumqi and the Lop Nur Folk Village in Yuli County, Bayingolin Prefecture. Each time, over a thousand domestic and international outdoor sports enthusiasts participated, fully showcasing the vigorous development of outdoor sports and people’s aspirations for health, nature, and enjoyment. It also highlighted the unity and stability of Xinjiang, its beautiful natural scenery, and its unique ethnic and folk customs. Hosting the camping congress is an important way to showcase the beautiful image of Xinjiang.
Yang Wenxiang, Director of the Development Department of the Mountaineering Sports Management Center of the General Administration of Sport of China, attended the press conference and read out the approval from the General Administration of Sport of China for this camping congress. Yang Wenxiang started mountaineering in Xinjiang as early as 1976 and has deep affection for the region. He has organized two consecutive camping congresses held in Xinjiang and said emotionally, “Xinjiang possesses unique outdoor sports resources and is a destination many tourists and travelers aspire to visit. We want more domestic and international outdoor sports enthusiasts to learn about Xinjiang’s outdoor resources.”
Zhang Guanjun, Deputy Secretary of the Hejing County Party Committee, introduced that Hejing County has consistently promoted the healthy development of culture, sports, and tourism. It has successfully hosted events such as the five editions of the China Bayinbuluke Swan Lake International Endurance Horse Racing and Speed Horse Racing Competitions. This camping congress is of great significance for enhancing the visibility and influence of Hejing’s tourism resources and Eastern Return culture, and for jointly building the “Hejing Eastern Return Cultural Brand.” Hejing County will take the opportunity of hosting this camping congress to fully showcase the beauty, fashion, vitality, and openness of Hejing, striving to create an international resort destination and an ecologically livable, civilized city.
Chen Zhongliang, Director of the Mountaineering Sports Management Center of the Sports Bureau of the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, and Bayer, Deputy County Head of the People's Government of Hejing County, signed the cooperation agreement for the 2013 China International Camping Congress (Xinjiang Station).
The camping congress is expected to attract over 2,000 registered participants and nearly 10,000 visitors.
Chen Zhongliang introduced that to facilitate travel for outdoor sports enthusiasts from Urumqi, free shuttle buses will be arranged to Bayinbuluke. Participants are required to bring essential outdoor gear such as sleeping bags and tents.
It is reported that outdoor sports enthusiasts can visit the official websites of the Chinese Mountaineering Association and the Xinjiang Mountaineering Association to learn about registration details, or call the Xinjiang Mountaineering Association for more information.