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

Qinghai’s Longyangxia Town Vigorously Expands the "Tourism + Sports" Model "Longyangxia Salmon" China Fjord Challenge Attracts Tens of Millions of Views

On August 3–4, 2019, the "2019 Longyangxia Salmon China Fjord Challenge" was held in the beautiful Longyangxia area of Qinghai. The event was co-organized by the Qinghai Provincial Sports Bureau, the Qinghai Provincial Department of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, and the People's Government of Hainan Prefecture, and hosted by the Qinghai Provincial Mountaineering Sports Management Center of the Sports Bureau, the People's Government of Gonghe County, the Hainan Prefecture Culture, Sports, Tourism, and Broadcasting Bureau, the People's Government of Guinan County, Qinghai Minze Longyangxia Eco-Aquaculture Co., Ltd., and Beijing Xingzhi Exploration Event Management Co., Ltd. It was co-sponsored by the Gonghe County Culture, Sports, Tourism, and Broadcasting Bureau, the Guinan County Culture, Sports, Tourism, and Broadcasting Bureau, the People's Government of Longyangxia Town, the People's Government of Tieguai Township, and the People's Government of Shagou Township. This high-altitude, self-navigated semi-self-supported desert endurance race included a 100KM Extreme Challenge, a 50KM Challenge, and a 6KM Experience Race, with a total of 340 participants including elite runners from both 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, take in the stunning views of Longyangxia, and experience the most beautiful scenery of the area in summer.

Over the years, the Longyangxia government has actively explored new development models. Leveraging its geographical advantages and unique characteristics, the Longyangxia Ecotourism Area—serving as an important node along Qinghai’s tourism circuit—has developed various sports activities based on its exceptional location and tourism resources, upgrading the sports industry and 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 Eco-Aquaculture Co., Ltd. in collaboration with multiple stakeholders. By integrating the iconic Longyangxia brand, salmon products, local resource advantages, and a new model of sports tourism, the challenge combines highland ecological-quality salmon products with tourism culture and the concept of sports and health.

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

With the staging of homegrown Qinghai events such as the China Fjord Challenge and the Tour of Qinghai Lake cycling race, Longyangxia Town has organically integrated sports competitions with ethnic culture and natural landscapes. Sports have gradually become a tourism highlight for Qinghai. Located on the upper reaches of the Yellow River in Gonghe County, Qinghai, Longyangxia is the first gorge that the Yellow River enters after flowing through the Qinghai grasslands. The scenic area 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 Geological Park, formed during the tectonic movements of the Cenozoic era over 65 million years ago, presents a distinctive geological wonder shaped primarily by water erosion. Relying on the surrounding richness of natural and cultural attractions—including Tulin landforms, Yardangs, temples, gorges, and lakes—Longyangxia Town has 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 "sports + tourism" development approach, the town continues to attract visitors with its unique resources, driving rapid growth in the local tourism economy.