No entry barrier, earn points: The UTMB qualifier Aohan 100 kicks off in June

      The 2019 Qiansen Cup Aohan 100 International Ultra Trail Running (referred to as Aohan 100) has been officially certified by ITRA (International Trail Running Association) and successfully selected as a UTMB (Ultra-Trail du Mont-Blanc) qualifier. The event will be held on June 15–16 in Sijiazi Town, Aohan Banner, Chifeng City, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region. Embracing the concept of trail running for all, the Aohan 100 has no entry barriers and is open to runners worldwide. It features three categories: 100KM, 50KM, and 30KM. Finishers will earn 4, 2, and 1 ITRA points respectively, catering to the needs of trail runners at different levels.

        The Aohan 100 International Ultra Trail Running is a mass-participation event that combines endurance challenges with sightseeing. Hosted in Aohan Banner, located in the southeastern part of Chifeng City, it lies at the northern foot of the Nulu'erhu Mountain range in the eastern section of the Yanshan Mountains, bordering the southern edge of the Horqin Sandy Land. Aohan Banner is the birthplace of the Chinese dragon and the origin of Chinese jade culture; it is the core area of the ancient Hongshan Kingdom and the cradle of global dryland farming. With a rich history, abundant resources, and diverse terrain—encompassing forests, grasslands, mountains, and rivers—Aohan Banner offers a microcosm of the entire region. It has been recognized by the United Nations as one of the Global 500 Roll of Honour for Environmental Achievement, and is celebrated as Cultural Aohan, Green Aohan, and Golden Aohan.

Aohan Today

Autumn in Aohan

Aohan Sar Nuur in the Morning Mist

Aohan · Autumn Symphony

      In selecting the race route, Aohan 100 integrates the area’s profound historical legacy and cultural richness. The start and finish are set in Linjiadi Village, Sijiazi Town, with the course passing through the Shierliancheng Ruins—featuring Lower Xiajiadian Culture—and the scenic Qingquan Valley. The finish line is at Reshuitang Village. Aohan 100 aims to offer participants an exploratory journey blending culture and natural beauty. Guided by the philosophy of “touching ancient times, sensing history, respecting nature, and discovering oneself,” the event provides trail enthusiasts with a wild and immersive experience through three distinct race categories: 30km, 50km, and 100km.

Aohan 100 Start/Finish: Sijiazi Town

Aohan 100 Start/Finish in Sijiazi Town

Aohan 100 Race Map

Aohan 100 Elevation Profile

      Aohan Banner boasts a long history and profound civilization. As early as the Neolithic Age, its inhabitants led a primitive life combining fishing, hunting, and herding. Within Aohan Banner, archaeological sites such as the Xiaoshagou Culture (circa 8200 years ago), Xinglongwa Culture (circa 8200–7400 years ago), Zhaobaogou Culture (circa 7200–6400 years ago), Hongshan Culture (circa 6700–5000 years ago), and Xiaohexiayuan Culture (circa 5000–4500 years ago) have been discovered. These findings establish an archaeological timeline and lineage from the Neolithic to the Bronze Age in the West Liao River Basin, earning praise from the eminent Chinese archaeologist Su Bingqi, who called it thePlace Where Civilization’s Sun Rises.

      Aohan Banner is home to nine national key cultural heritage sites, including the Xinglongwa Primitive Settlement Ruins, Chengzishan Mountain City Ruins, Dadianzi Ruins, Zhaobaogou Ruins, and the Warring States Yan Great Wall Ruins. The pig-headed, serpent-bodied zun vessel unearthed from the Zhaobaogou Culture site is one of the earliest known artifacts evidencing the worship of the Chinese dragon in China, indirectly indicating that Aohan Banner is an important birthplace for exploring the origins of the Chinese dragon. The Chengzishan Mountain City, excavated within Aohan, is the largest, best-preserved, clearest in exposed relics, and most structurally complex large-scale mountain city of the Lower Xiajiadian Culture discovered so far in northern China. It holds significant importance for studying ancient societal evolution, the formation of states and cities, religious beliefs, and social change. The Aohan Banner Museum houses over 5,000 diverse artifacts spanning from prehistoric times to the Jin and Yuan dynasties, making it the county-level museum with the largest collection in China.

Zun-shaped vessel unearthed from Zhaobaogou Culture ruins

 

Chengzishan Ruins

 Liao Dynasty murals in the collection

 

Artifacts in the Xinzhou Museum collection