On September 12, as the starting gun fired, the 2015 China · Baoquan “Cliffside Taihang” National Hiking Conference kicked off. The event was held in Baoquan Tourist Resort, Huixian City, Henan Province, marking the first time the National Hiking Conference came to Henan.
According to statistics from the organizing committee, the event attracted a total of 1,010 participants, including 310 in the professional category. The professional participants were outdoor sports enthusiasts with extensive hiking experience, coming from 12 provinces and cities including Beijing, Tianjin, Hebei, Henan, Hubei, Hunan, Zhejiang, Jiangsu, and Yunnan. A total of 209 of them successfully completed the course.
It is introduced that hiking is an excellent form of aerobic exercise, which helps to improve physical fitness and boost immunity. Moreover, hiking outdoors allows people to strengthen their bodies while fully connecting with nature.
It is understood that the National Hiking Conference, approved by the General Administration of Sport of China and hosted by the Mountaineering Sports Management Center, is a large-scale outdoor event that centers around camping activities and integrates other forms of outdoor sports. Baoquan Tourist Resort also pioneered the advanced concept of a national-level “tourism + sports event” initiative. Together, they presented this grand gathering to outdoor enthusiasts across the country who value health and nature, showcasing Baoquan’s spectacular cliffside scenery and unique resources.
This National Hiking Conference was jointly organized by the Chinese Mountaineering Association, the Henan Provincial Sports Bureau, and the People’s Government of Huixian City, with co-organization by the Xinxiang Municipal Sports Bureau and the Xinxiang Municipal Tourism Bureau, and hosted by the Huixian Municipal Sports Bureau, the Huixian Municipal Tourism Bureau, and Henan Baoquan Tourist Resort. Liu Ying, Director of the Xinxiang Foreign Affairs, Overseas Chinese Affairs, and Tourism Bureau, said that this was a high-level, high-standard, and high-quality national sporting event, and its hosting is of great significance in enhancing the visibility and influence of Baoquan and even Xinxiang. Pei Chunliang, Chairman of Chunjian Group, to which the scenic area belongs, stated that the event deeply interpreted the new concept of eco-friendly and healthy hiking, making “Cliffside Taihang” the calling card and ambassador of Baoquan.
“Cliffside Taihang” was a highlight feature of this hiking conference. The entire hiking route started at Baoquan Scenic Area in Henan and ended at Dawangmiao Bridge, spanning a distance of 21 kilometers divided into three sections. Most of the trail was set on cliff platforms over 800 meters above sea level. With sheer cliffs on one side and layered peaks on the other, hikers could fully experience the breathtaking views of Baoquan. Li Jianjun from Jiaozuo, Henan, joined the event with family and friends by driving after seeing the online recruitment, and after completing it, he remarked, “It was absolutely magnificent, especially after climbing up to the cliff top via the Sky Ladder—Baoquan was spread out before my eyes. If there are more hiking events in the future, I’ll definitely come again.”
Baoquan Scenic Area is located in Baoquan Valley, 60 kilometers northwest of Huixian City. It features rugged mountains, crisscrossed ravines, lifelike peculiar peaks and rocks, waterfalls resembling white curtains, serene and mysterious valleys, and a rich concentration of stunning landscapes. The area’s unique Danxia landform, known for its “hundred-mile red cliffs and myriad crimson silk ribbons,” creates majestic and spectacular views such as crimson cliffs, emerald ridges, strange peaks, and quiet valleys—all incredibly beautiful. In spring and summer, the natural pathways formed by thin layers of sandstone and shale on the red cliffs are lush green, while in late autumn, the forests turn golden. From afar, the rolling mountain ranges unfold in layers, and from above, the crimson cliffs resemble painted screens—making it a natural and ideal trail for hiking.
It is reported that Baoquan Scenic Area also boasts the densest and most spectacular waterfall cluster in the Taihang Mountains. With a pond every five steps and a waterfall every ten, the variously shaped waterfalls in the China Thousand Waterfalls Valley form a wonder of the Taihang range, and are hailed as the “largest waterfall group in Central China.” The area also offers a rich variety of water recreation activities. On September 13, the Baoquan Aquatic Experience Competition was also held here. Over 300 handsome and beautiful participants from hiking events across the country joined in activities such as Burma bridges, zip lines, kayaking, diving, and rappelling. Their athletic forms and joyful laughter blended seamlessly with the beautiful scenery, creating a splendid sight at Baoquan.
In addition, the award ceremony for the “Baoquan Goddess” Selfie Contest, co-hosted by Baoquan Tourist Resort and Xinxiang TV Station, was also held that day. Since its launch on August 12, the event had attracted over 2 million clicks and views from enthusiastic netizens, 150,000 votes and campaigns, and more than a thousand participants. The top 100 contestants gathered at Baoquan to showcase the charm of modern women amid the scenic beauty of Baoquan’s clear waters and crimson mountains.