The Longyangxia Salmon China Fjord Challenge attracts tens of millions of views

Qinghai’s Longyangxia Town vigorously expands the “tourism + sports” model — the “Longyangxia Salmon” China Fjord Challenge attracts tens of millions of views

From August 3–4, 2019, the “2019 Longyangxia Salmon China Fjord Challenge,” jointly organized by the Qinghai Provincial Sports Bureau, the Qinghai Provincial Department of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, and the People’s Government of Hainan Prefecture; co-hosted by the Qinghai Provincial Mountaineering Sports Management Center, the People’s Government of Gonghe County, the Hainan Prefecture Culture, Sports, Tourism and Radio & Television Bureau, the People’s Government of Guinan County, Qinghai Minze Longyangxia Ecological Aquaculture Co., Ltd., and Beijing Xingzhi Exploration Event Management Co., Ltd.; and assisted by the Gonghe County Culture, Sports, Tourism and Radio & Television Bureau, the Guinan County Culture, Sports, Tourism and Radio & Television Bureau, the People’s Government of Longyangxia Town, the People’s Government of Tieguai Township, and the People’s Government of Shagou Township, was held in the beautiful Longyangxia area of Qinghai. This was a high-altitude, self-navigated, semi-self-supported desert endurance race, featuring a 100KM Ultimate Challenge, a 50KM Challenge, and a 6KM Experience Race, with a total of 340 participants including elite runners from China and abroad, as well as EMBA elites from business schools. The event adopted a “tourism + sports” model, attracting outdoor enthusiasts from around the world to enjoy salmon cuisine, admire the scenery of Longyangxia, and experience the most beautiful views of the area in summer.

Over the years, the Longyangxia government has actively explored new development models. Leveraging its geographical advantages and characteristics, the Longyangxia Eco-Tourism Area, as an important node along Qinghai’s tourism loop, has developed various sports activities based on its unique location and tourism resources to upgrade the sports industry, making it a key component of Longyangxia’s tourism development.

The Longyangxia Salmon China Fjord Challenge is a proprietary event created by Qinghai Minze Longyangxia Ecological Aquaculture Co., Ltd. in collaboration with multiple stakeholders, integrating the Longyangxia landmark brand. By combining salmon products, regional resource advantages, and a new sports tourism model, it has established the “Longyangxia Salmon” as its own event, merging highland ecological-quality salmon products with tourism culture and sports wellness concepts.

The 2019 Longyangxia Salmon China Fjord Challenge lasted 30 hours. Liang Jing from Anhui won the overall championship of the 100KM category with a time of 10 hours, 52 minutes, and 22 seconds; Luo Canhua from Yunnan claimed the top spot in the 50KM category with a time of 5 hours, 12 minutes, and 25 seconds.

With the hosting of local Qinghai sports events such as the China Fjord Challenge and the Tour of Qinghai Lake Cycling Race, Longyangxia Town has organically integrated sporting events with ethnic culture and natural landscapes. Sports have gradually become a tourism highlight for Qinghai Province. Located on the upper reaches of the Yellow River in Gonghe County, Qinghai, Longyangxia is the first canyon gateway after the Yellow River flows through the Qinghai grasslands into the Yellow River canyon region. The scenic area of Longyangxia boasts well-preserved natural ecology and unique tourism resources. Deserts lie adjacent to lakes, with endless golden sands set against blue skies and clear waters. The Tulin Geopark, formed during the neotectonic movements of the Cenozoic era and dating back 65 million years, has developed unique geological wonders under the primary influence of water erosion. Relying on the rich natural and cultural features of its surroundings — including Tulin landforms, Yardangs, temples, canyons, and lakes — Longyangxia Town has now become an ideal destination for off-road adventures, canyon sightseeing, and cultural experiences.

Hainan Prefecture in Qinghai Province has also prioritized the development of the distinctive Longyangxia Town in Gonghe County as part of its push for new urbanization. In 2017, Longyangxia Town was recognized by the General Administration of Sport of China as one of the first national sports and leisure characteristic towns. Benefiting from the advantages brought by the “sports + tourism” development approach, Longyangxia Town continues to attract visitors with its own resources, driving rapid growth in the local tourism economy.