Celebrating the 70th Anniversary: TaoYe Outdoor Leads Thousands of Brave Souls on a Gobi Desert Hike as a Tribute to the Motherland

On the occasion of the 70th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China, TaoYe Outdoor’s large-scale hiking challenge, [Conquer the Uninhabited Zone | Dunhuang Gobi Station in China], officially commenced. Thousands of entrepreneurs set off westward on this day of national celebration, trekking along the ancient Silk Road and presenting the motherland with a unique birthday gift.

On the morning of October 1, 2019, as the sun slowly rose and under the eager anticipation of the participants, four flag bearers marched forward proudly and upright, carrying the national flag with vigor and pride. Instantly, everyone removed their hats in salute, gazing at the red flag as the entire venue fell into solemn silence.

Shortly after, a salute thundered out loud. A thousand brave souls sang the stirring national anthem, infusing their deep love for the motherland into the sweeping chorus that echoed across the vast Gobi.

A 21-gun salute is the highest honor in welcoming ceremonies, symbolizing our utmost respect for this event. And now, even though we are in the harsh desert and Gobi environment, we still offer our highest tribute to our motherland. Because without the prosperity and strength of our country, there would be no happy life for the Chinese people today.

After the national anthem concluded, the participants regrouped at the starting point. They chose to prove their loyalty to the motherland through a 108-kilometer Silk Road hike over three nights and four days, thereby challenging themselves and showcasing the spirit of the Chinese people.

At 7 p.m., the Gobi sunset arrived right on time. Though exhausted, the participants remained highly enthusiastic. Standing on the sand, they formed the shape of the red flag. In an instant, drones soared into the sky, overlooking the Gobi where every person became part of the national flag, shining brilliantly under the setting sun. Perhaps the camera couldn’t capture every expression, but we believe everyone’s heart was filled with pride in being Chinese.

Due to the lack of signal in the uninhabited zone, participants were unable to watch the live military parade. The organizing committee of TaoYe Outdoor specially pre-recorded the ceremony and had someone transport the footage back from the city, over 100 kilometers away. After dinner, all participants sat on the sand together to watch the replay of the parade. As they watched the magnificent scenes on the screen, everyone felt their blood boil. The rapid development of the nation fired a celebratory salute to the world. The sleeping lion is ready to face challenges and is determined to leave its majestic figure among the nations of the world. Though the Gobi warriors could not experience it firsthand, in the vast wilderness miles apart, their hearts were always with the motherland.

If hiking is an action of following the motherland, then singing patriotic songs is the best way for the brave to express their emotions. Everyone waved their hands to the rhythm, sending fiery love to the motherland. From “We Walk on the Great Road” to “Ode to the Motherland” and finally to “Me and My Motherland,” tonight, there were no boundaries between north and south, nor distinctions between men, women, old or young. We only wished for our motherland to hear our voices, accept our blessings. In this wild land, there are still sons and daughters of China who love her—turning their passion into strength, their reverence into song, and praising heaven and earth with overwhelming momentum, spreading the spirit of China to the world.

Celebrating the 70th anniversary of the founding of the nation, we retrace the Silk Road. With our footprints, we explore the paths of history; with our passion, we ignite the fire of life. The starry sky of the Gobi is the blueprint of our future, and each twinkling star is the image of China shaped by the actions of these brave souls.