On May 23, the 3rd Camel Outdoor Festival and Tengger Desert Crossing Challenge launched in spectacular fashion. With news that Hunan TV star Shen Mengchen would be there, thousands of outdoor lovers enthusiastically applied, and after strict screening by organizers CAMEL, nearly 60 skilled adventurers were selected for the desert crossing challenge. At the event, Shen Mengchen won over the crowd of rugged "outdoor guys" with her stylish look and witty charm.
Shen Mengchen Showed Off in the Desert with a "Flying Dance," Jokingly Calling Herself the Female Tengger
At the opening ceremony, Shen Mengchen said she found combining outdoor activities with charity very meaningful: "I think this event is quite special. First, it's a desert crossing challenge — an outdoor sport. Second, it helps CAMEL fulfill a dream: turning the desert green by adding some vegetation."
Shen Mengchen Posted Photos from the Tengger Desert on Weibo
During the opening ceremony, Shen Mengchen interacted frequently with participants. When the host asked about her ideal type of guy, the crowd playfully shouted: Du Haitao. Shen Mengchen responded that she likes "a sunny, handsome, responsible man who can take care of me." Her answer prompted many male participants to claim they fit the bill. In a particularly enthusiastic moment, one participant dubbed the "Desert Li Jian" even took the stage to serenade the goddess with Li Jian’s song "Yearning." Though off-key, Shen Mengchen said she loved it and would introduce him to her single assistant.
Group Photo of Shen Mengchen with All Participants
A former model, Shen Mengchen demonstrated how to take great photos wearing outdoor gear. Although the session was meant for female outdoor fans, the male participants were so eager that the entire group of learners ended up being a bunch of “gentlemen.” Shen Mengchen also shared her fitness secrets: "I focus on cardio — I usually go jogging in the morning, another run at night, and do 50 sit-ups before bed because I'm currently training for super sexy abs."
With her sweet looks and great figure, Shen Mengchen has been one of Hunan TV’s fastest-rising female hosts in recent years. From emerging through talent shows, to becoming the manager of three legendary male stars — Lin Zhiying, Victor Wong, and Li Jian — on "I Am a Singer," and then hosting the 2015 "I Am a Singer" finale, her career is a story of realizing dreams through hard work. This is exactly why leading outdoor brand CAMEL invited her. At the opening ceremony, Shen Mengchen received a custom "goddess edition" hand-painted camel skin jacket from CAMEL Brand Director Eric, making her first outdoor experience extra special.
CAMEL Brand Director Eric Presents Shen Mengchen with a Hand-Painted Skin Jacket
CAMEL Brand Director Eric explained the origin of this custom gift. The CAMEL sun-protective skin jacket is a new summer upgrade, featuring significantly improved UV and wind protection. To prevent the jacket from looking too plain, they added a hand-painted design with the event theme: "CAMEL Has a Dream — Greening the Desert." Touched by the thoughtful design, Shen happily tried it on for photos and said she would treasure it.
CAMEL Brand Director Eric and Shen Mengchen Plant a Tree Together
CAMEL Brand Director Eric said: "Desertification is worsening. By organizing this outdoor festival, we had participants plant ‘trees of hope’ with goddess Shen Mengchen before setting off, then embark on a three-day, two-night crossing of the Tengger Desert. Only by experiencing the harsh desert environment firsthand can you truly appreciate the meaning of planting that tree."
The Tengger Desert Crossing was a team-based competition. The top team to successfully complete the course and lead the pack could win up to tens of thousands of yuan in electronic vouchers for the CAMEL Outdoor flagship store. The 3rd Camel Outdoor Festival has now officially concluded, and the ten teams have safely returned to Yinchuan after their unforgettable desert adventure. We look forward to seeing what memorable stories these adventurers will share.