The three great laws of life — the pursuit of the unknown, the longing for beautiful things, and the desire for life. It is precisely for these reasons that humans have gradually evolved into the only intelligent beings on Earth.
In the Paleolithic Age, humans discovered that the meat of animals that had been accidentally burned was tastier than raw, bloody meat, thus paving the way for the art of cooking; before the emergence of language, humans already knew how to use pitch and volume to express their thoughts and emotions, and from this primitive form of music, various styles evolved, allowing people to choose their favorite forms to express and vent their inner feelings; as human civilization advanced, the breadth and depth of the spiritual world became lifelong pursuits. “The benevolent enjoy the mountains, the wise enjoy the waters,” as the ancients sought the ultimate spiritual experience in nature, and today this pursuit continues to thrive — what we commonly refer to as outdoor sports.
Since ancient times, the wise have often led the way in societal transformation and progress. In today’s society, driven primarily by economic development, business elites have naturally become influential trendsetters. Their actions are often followed and imitated, eventually becoming the benchmarks of an era’s trends.
In recent years, some business elites have gradually turned to the outdoors, participating in various outdoor events and immersing themselves in nature, seeking a different kind of ultimate lifestyle to balance the complex emotions brought by the cutthroat business world, while also focusing more on their own personal well-being amidst market competition.
The “GORE-TEX® Business Schools Outdoor Activity Alliance” attracted such individuals. In January 2016, GORE-TEX®, the global leader in outdoor fabrics, along with the outdoor activity leaders from eight outdoor clubs/associations of seven top domestic business schools — Peking University’s Guanghua School of Management, Peking University’s BiMBA, Cheung Kong Graduate School of Business, Tsinghua University’s School of Economics and Management, Renmin University’s School of Business, Xiamen University’s School of Management, and CEIBS — held their first outdoor symposium at Beijing’s Huapin Estate. They analyzed the current limitations of business school outdoor activities and expressed hopes for expanding and experiencing more diverse formats. Three months later in Beijing, they reconvened and reached a consensus, officially establishing the “GORE-TEX® Business Schools Outdoor Activity Alliance” to bring healthier, safer, more professional, and more varied outdoor experiences to the alliance’s numerous participants.
Upholding the slogan spirit of “Go big or go home, play wild or don’t play,” the alliance customized a grand outdoor gathering for its members. On August 27 and 28, at Dolomiti — the natural oxygen bar known as the “Eastern Davos” in Chongli — the first GORE-TEX™ Business Schools Outdoor Festival, a 300-person event that perfectly blended the “ultimate pursuits of human evolution”: gourmet food, music, and outdoor sports, was successfully held.
This outdoor festival offered a variety of outdoor activities for business school participants, including traditional options like rock climbing, hiking, slacklining, and trail running. For parents bringing their “outdoor kids” (the next generation), fun activities such as parent-child hiking, kid-friendly climbing competitions, children’s trampoline experiences, and a “Little Shopping Guide” charity event were arranged, all guided by professional outdoor instructors.
In outdoor sports, safety comes first. The eighth annual GORE-TEX® Outdoor Lecture Hall was also a major highlight at this gathering, providing valuable insights into outdoor safety knowledge and sharing personal experiences from renowned outdoor experts.
The various partner brands of GORE-TEX® each showcased their unique strengths at the festival, with each brand’s area featuring its own style and must-see highlights.
As a great partner of GORE-TEX®, the Austrian brand NORTHLAND brought the most authentic “Austrian vibe” to the site. As a European outdoor paradise nestled by the Alps, Austria exudes endless charm. Rather than adventuring for the sake of it, Austrians follow their hearts, immerse themselves in nature, and enjoy the joy it brings — going with the flow. The outdoor lifestyle promoted by the Austrian brand NORTHLAND has long been admired. At the festival, the NORTHLAND outdoor experience area radiated a rich local Austrian atmosphere, offering a naturally relaxed vibe. Speaking a few German phrases would almost make you feel like you were in Europe. One of the highlights was the variety of experience activities in the NORTHLAND area, including a VR experience that transported visitors to Austria, with the Alps and the Danube River right before their eyes, and Austrian culture and scenery within reach. One attendee seemed completely immersed — are you rowing or hiking? Under the starry night sky, the vast galaxy inspires awe — how could you not take a stunning photo to commemorate the moment? But… how do you take a breathtaking starry sky photo? This is where NORTHLAND’s stargazing experience comes in: not only can you get up close to the stars with a Swarovski telescope, but photography instructors will also teach you how to capture those twinkles. Listen carefully and snap a high-quality star photo.
Want to understand light outdoor living? How about trying a cozy camping experience? In the NORTHLAND camping area, colorful tents hosted conversations among families or close friends, while outside, the natural night scenery of Dolomiti — the “Eastern Davos” — awaited. Gazing up at the brightest and most beautiful starry sky in the outskirts of Beijing, sleeping in a natural oxygen bar, quality living meets outdoor sports — this is the seamless experience NORTHLAND aims to offer you on its carefree journey.
For those with kids, how do you usually foster a sense of social responsibility at home? As the main family-focused activity at the festival, the LOWA brand prepared a hands-on class for kids — no lectures, just action. Using classic outdoor gear, children were invited to act as little shopping guides, with all proceeds going to charity. The kids were very enthusiastic, using their little hands to do something meaningful. And for the second part of LOWA’s family time — parent-child hiking — the 5-km undulating trail was a bit challenging for little feet, but the kids bravely tackled the wild terrain alongside their parents, showing great stamina and determination.
Who represents the pinnacle of the GORE-TEX™ Business Schools Outdoor Festival? KAILAS answers with big wall climbing — scale up and aim for the summit. The KAILAS outdoor experience area was equally exciting, featuring camping, cooking (mouthwatering), and packing tutorials — all essential survival skills. There was also the KAILAS Family Climbing Competition. The little ones instantly transformed into “mini Spidermen.” Look at those moves — great potential. Parents can nurture that talent, especially since climbing has been added to the Olympics. Today’s young athletes might just be tomorrow’s gold medalists.
On the Salomon 7-km trail run course, business school participants dashed toward the finish line, cheering with joy. Grass slopes, forest paths, birch forests, sweat and happiness — crossing the finish line. Champion V5, here’s your SUUNTO watch.
The North Face introduced participants to the fun of outdoor training. Never heard of outdoor training? No problem — it’s all about working out in nature’s gym. Look at everyone training together, so energized.
When night fell, Sanfo Outdoor provided tents and sleeping bags for its members, who slept under the starry sky, cradled in the embrace of nature.
Additionally, the GORE-TEX® brand invited its tech-savvy partner “Qualcomm,” who brought their “DOBBY Pocket Drone” to the site, giving everyone a taste of high-tech fun.
Outdoor and food have always been inseparable “besties,” and summer is the season for barbecue — even cooler when it’s outdoors, and even cooler still when paired with ice-cold beer. With beautiful scenery, a gentle breeze, delicious food, and like-minded companions enjoying their favorite activities, it was the perfect opportunity to make new friends.
During the day, energetic outdoor activities took turns entertaining; at night, after a hearty meal, the Chongli outdoor festival radiated a nostalgic charm, making the slow mountain life especially enjoyable. Lao Lang’s songs are like a nostalgia passcode for many rock veterans. A gathering of outdoor brothers and classmates reminded the rock veterans of their innocent youth, with slightly tipsy faces expressing deep satisfaction.
When Lao Lang appeared as the last wildcard contestant on the stage of “I Am a Singer” in 2016, the stage lights lit up, and he, dressed in a black trench coat, held a standing microphone and sang Pu Shu’s “Journey.” When the chorus “We passed by mountains, we passed by lakes, we passed by forests, we passed by deserts, we passed by people’s castles and gardens” played, it felt like the river of fate began to flow and the tunnel of time slowly opened. Occasionally reminiscing about the past, nostalgic folks might say, “My hometown is in the 1980s.” Back then, there were green lawns, bright moonlight and stars, the buddy on the bunk above, and the classmate at your side. The sky was always blue, days always felt too long, and literature, love, and journeys across the world were constant topics.
As a representative figure of Chinese campus folk music, Lao Lang’s songs “Classmate at My Desk” and “The Guy on the Bunk Above Me” are familiar to many — they’re imprints of youth. But we’re talking about a “Lao Lang” you may not know well.
“Lao Lang,” whose real name is Wang Yang, formed a band with Gao Xiaosong in his youth and gained some fame with the song “Wolf,” earning him the nickname “Lao Lang.” That’s only part of the reason. Actually, the origin of the name “Lao Lang” is also tied to his interests — aside from singing, he’s also a “wild wolf,” a true-blue outdoor enthusiast and mountaineering expert. Take a look at his achievements.
In 2000, he climbed Mount Siguniang, over 5,000 meters above sea level.
In 2002, he completed a loaded climb to a 6,000-meter peak, becoming the “highest-altitude” artist on the mainland.
In 2003, he summited Africa’s highest peak, Mount Kilimanjaro, for the first time.
In 2011, he summited Kilimanjaro for the second time.
In 2014, 44-year-old Lao Lang reached the summit of Europe’s highest peak, Mount Elbrus.
In 2016, the outdoor expert “Lao Lang” performed live for you at the GORE-TEX™ Business Schools Outdoor Festival.
As far as your heart dares to dream, that’s how far you can go. So, when your heart can’t decide, let your feet take the lead. This outdoor festival is a rallying cry to awaken the “outdoor spirit” in every heart. Once that long-dormant spirit is stirred awake, a powerful force will carry you further and help you meet a better version of yourself along the way. At the same time, recognizing the challenges faced by business school members—such as sticking to single outdoor activities, varying levels of expertise, and a lack of mutual encouragement during competitions—the outdoor festival provides a broad interactive platform. Here, you’ll not only experience a rich variety of outdoor activities but also gain knowledge to enhance your outdoor skills. More importantly, by engaging elite business school participants, the festival aims to promote this positive and healthy lifestyle to a wider audience. The establishment of the GORE-TEX™ Business School Outdoor Activity Alliance has created connections between several leading business schools and built an interconnected platform. As a leader in outdoor fabrics, the GORE-TEX® brand has always been committed to inspiring outdoor dreams and beliefs through diverse initiatives, driving the growth of outdoor sports. We look forward to seeing even more collaboration and outdoor enthusiasm between the two, contributing further to promoting a happy and healthy outdoor lifestyle across China.