As winter temperatures dropped, the Mengtun River Valley in Li County, Ngawa Tibetan and Qiang Autonomous Prefecture, Sichuan, saw few visitors amid vast expanses of white. On the morning of December 28, the quiet valley suddenly buzzed with life as nearly 500 people gathered in the square within minutes, their voices and the sounds of horns breaking the silence.
Ice & Snow Hiking: The Mengtun Outdoor Carnival Blooms in the Snow
The "Mengtun River Valley Outdoor Carnival," also known as the 2nd HowToTrip ● Ice & Snow Hiking Festival, was jointly planned by the Walking Camel Outdoor Charity Forum (Camel Friends Network: http://www.iluotuo.com) and the Shangmeng Township Tourism Association of Mengtun River Valley, with full sponsorship from Chengdu Red Bull Vitamin Drink Co., Ltd. Held against a backdrop of blue skies, white clouds, and snow-covered landscapes reminiscent of northern China, the event took place in Li County’s Mengtun River Valley. Nearly 500 participants—all members of the Walking Camel Outdoor Forum—were there to explore this glittering wonderland on foot. What unique experiences does ice & snow hiking offer? And how might it boost local tourism? A reporter, tipped off, rushed to the scene undercover and immersed themselves in the icy spectacle of Laojun Gully in Mengtun River Valley.
At 9:50 AM, the 2nd Sichuan Ice & Snow Hiking Festival and the inauguration ceremony for the "Ox Trail" signage in Laojun Gully officially kicked off. Guo Lin, founder of the Walking Camel Outdoor Charity Forum and head of the Camel Friends Network, first announced the start of the hiking festival and the permanent installation of the "Camel Friends Ox Trail" signage in Laojun Gully. Next, Nyima Xiangyang, president of the Shangmeng Township Tourism Association, spoke about the hiking routes and safety measures in Laojun Gully. Finally, Gao Min, secretary-general of the Sichuan Mountaineering Association, offered heartfelt congratulations on the festival’s opening, praising its role in promoting mass ice & snow sports in Sichuan. With a gunshot from his starting pistol, nearly 500 fully equipped "Camel Friends" set off from the Shangmeng Township square, descending from the 3,100-meter-high summit and completing the roughly 15-kilometer snowy course back to the starting point in just three hours.
Nation’s First: "Camel Friends Ox Trail" Established in Laojun Gully
The Mengtun River Valley Scenic Area is located in Shangmeng and Xiaomeng townships in the northwestern part of Li County, Ngawa Prefecture, covering 714.5 square kilometers at an average elevation of 1,900 to 2,000 meters. It is home to the Jiarong Tibetans, descendants of King Gesar—the closest Tibetan ethnic group to the Han Chinese. Towering mountains shrouded in mist, fluttering prayer flags, and radiant spiritual energy define the landscape. Legend has it that sacred peaks like Maiduoshigu, Xierjisduo, and the Eternal Snow Mountain, all under the protection of the holy Mount Gammo Mordo, are nestled in this "auspicious land" of Shangmeng, giving the township its name.
For northerners, winter snow may be commonplace, but for southerners accustomed to above-zero temperatures, it’s a rare treasure. Just a three-hour drive brings you to a snowy wonderland where you can frolic in the "thousands of miles of ice and snow" of the north—a thrill that outdoor enthusiasts might compare to winning the lottery. This enchantingly icy destination lies in Laojun Gully, Mengtun River Valley, Li County, Ngawa Tibetan and Qiang Autonomous Prefecture. Legend says the Taoist deity Laozi, traveling on a donkey, once paused in this valley, charmed by its clear waters, ancient trees, and cascading waterfalls. He dismounted to walk, leaving behind imprints of his buttocks, feet, and the donkey’s hooves—still faintly visible today. Thanks to its unique geography, Laojun Gully enjoys nearly three months of frigid cold from December to February each year, with snow and ice creating ideal conditions for ice & snow tourism. The Shangmeng Township Tourism Association capitalized on this rare natural resource by partnering with the renowned outdoor website Camel Friends Network to host the Ice & Snow Hiking Festival, attracting enthusiasts to experience the sport’s unique appeal. This initiative fills the winter tourism gap, boosts the local economy, and introduces innovative travel options for residents and visitors alike.
In response to the State Council’s call to improve national fitness and promote mass sports, the Walking Camel Outdoor Charity Forum (Camel Friends Network: http://www.iluotuo.com) and Chengdu Red Bull Vitamin Drink Co., Ltd. have long sought a new, accessible, moderately challenging, and easily promoted winter sport. Their collaboration gave birth to the "Mengtun River Valley Outdoor Carnival"—aka the 2nd Sichuan Ice & Snow Hiking Festival—as part of the "Camel Friends Ox Trail" mountaineering program. So, what is the "Camel Friends Ox Trail"? According to organizers, Sichuan’s "Camel Friends Ox Trail" is a non-mainstream yet classic hiking route designed to encourage mass fitness. Routes must meet strict criteria for difficulty, intensity, uniqueness, and scenery, verified by experts before earning the "Ox Trail" label. The name also implies "an exceptionally great trail." So, what made this Ice & Snow Hiking Festival so "awesome"? Organizers explained that the 2nd Sichuan Ice & Snow Hiking Festival aimed to promote eco-friendly, low-carbon, and healthy ways to explore the Mengtun River Valley’s Laojun Gully Natural Ecological Scenic Area through the "Ox Trail" concept. The Laojun Gully "Camel Friends Ox Trail" series will inject new vitality into the area’s outdoor scene, establishing a classic highland brand. The festival itself will become a unique tourism highlight, drawing ice & snow hiking enthusiasts from Sichuan and beyond to experience the valley’s magical winter charm.
What benefits do the Ice & Snow Hiking Festival bring to individuals and the region?
First, ice & snow hiking offers a new form of winter fitness and recreation, promoting scientific and healthy lifestyles while moving beyond monotonous exercise routines—an essential part of mass sports culture.
The second benefit is long-term. The festival enriches winter tourism, attracting visitors to Li County’s Mengtun River Valley and boosting local tourism, dining, and commercial services. This drives job creation, increases incomes, and supports poverty alleviation, fostering social stability and economic transformation.
The third is urban branding, enhancing external awareness of Li County. Every festival visitor becomes a walking ambassador, attracting investment, technology, and talent to lay a solid foundation for further economic growth in Li County and surrounding areas.
"Camel Friends Ox Trail": A Unique Tourism Brand
Organizers revealed another highlight of the 2nd Ice & Snow Hiking Festival: the permanent installation of "Camel Friends Ox Trail" signage in the Laojun Gully Natural Ecological Scenic Area, serving as a guidepost for outdoor enthusiasts. So, what is the "Camel Friends Ox Trail"? The forum’s head explained it’s a non-mainstream yet exceptional hiking route co-created by the Walking Camel Outdoor Charity Forum (Camel Friends Network: http://www.iluotuo.com) and Chengdu Red Bull Vitamin Drink Sales Co., Ltd. Routes must meet rigorous standards for difficulty, intensity, uniqueness, and scenery, verified by experts. The name also implies "an exceptionally great trail." So, what made this festival so "awesome"? Organizers said the 2nd Sichuan Ice & Snow Hiking Festival aimed to encourage eco-friendly, low-carbon, and healthy exploration of Laojun Gully through the "Ox Trail" concept. The Laojun Gully "Camel Friends Ox Trail" series will revitalize the area’s outdoor scene, establishing a classic highland brand. The festival itself will become a unique tourism draw, attracting ice & snow hiking enthusiasts from Sichuan and across China to experience Laojun Gully’s winter wonders.
By 1:30 PM, the first finisher returned to the starting point, followed by the rest of the participants. Organizers noted the oldest participant was 60.5 years old, the youngest just 5—all successfully completed the course.
The success of the 2nd Sichuan Ice & Snow Hiking Festival proves that winter sports are no longer exclusive to northern cities and that mass fitness initiatives are evolving toward greater diversity and inclusivity. We sincerely congratulate the festival’s organizers and all participants on their achievements. We also look forward to the next edition arriving soon.