Chen Miaolin Leads the Kaiyuan Cycling Team to Tackle the New Tibet Highway — A Journey to the Heavens

The Xinjiang-Tibet Highway route requires crossing five mountains over 5,000 meters in elevation, the highest being the Jieshan Pass at 5,248 meters, making it the most dangerous among several routes into Tibet. Among them, the Jieshan Pass and the Death Valley are the most challenging. Death Valley is infamous along the Xinjiang-Tibet Highway. It is a no-man’s-land section with an altitude of 5,173 meters, a valley stretching dozens of kilometers flanked by towering, precipitous mountains. Its unique geographical conditions make the climate extremely harsh.

The snowy plateaus and barren gorges are daunting, but the vast deserts and boundless grasslands are equally captivating. In addition to facing severe weather conditions and perilous terrains, the “Kaiyuan New Tibet Expedition” team will also traverse a series of magnificent landscapes of the Western Regions. On May 25, they crossed the boundless Bayinbuluke Grassland (China’s second-largest grassland). On May 29, the team traversed the endless desert highway in its entirety, experiencing the desolation of crumbling ruins and the grandeur of the golden sandy desert. On June 2, they rode to China’s westernmost point — the Pamir Plateau, where undulating mountain ranges stretch as far as the eye can see, snow-capped peaks stand densely, presenting a rare spectacle of the world.

There’s no turning back once you’re on the heavenly road

Cycling is a form of spiritual practice; it’s not about the destination, but the scenery along the way. Traveling along the Xinjiang-Tibet Highway, the team will pass by Mount Kailash, a sacred mountain regarded as the center of the world. They will spend two days completing a kora (pilgrimage circuit) at the end of their ride. The kora is considered the most solemn and sacred ritual in Tibetan culture. Across the vast Tibetan Plateau, one often encounters pilgrims who devoutly worship the sacred with heart and life. The Year of the Horse is a traditional time for kora in Tibetan culture. Tibetan calendar’s Year of the Horse is a sacred year for kora in Tibetan Buddhism, occurring once every 12 years, believed to accumulate boundless merit and blessings.

The Sichuan-Tibet Highway may be the most rugged road on Earth, while the Xinjiang-Tibet Highway may be the harshest environment-wise. This is a road to the heavens, the eighth wonder of the world. Fifteen brave souls, a 25-day expedition on the heavenly road — the Kaiyuan cycling team sets off once again. After previous rides including Beijing, Taiwan Island, Sichuan-Tibet, France, and the Changchun-Hong Kong leg of the Kaiyuan Ten-Thousand-Mile Ride, they will once more demonstrate their determination with their wheels, and showcase the Kaiyuan spirit of “daring to be the first in the world” through their actions.

On the snowy plateau, they cycle above the clouds

Additionally, the official WeChat account of Kaiyuan Tourism Group, “Kaiyuan 1988,” will provide full photo and text coverage of this cycling journey, releasing Chairman Chen Miaolin’s daily cycling diary in real time, as well as sharing photos of the scenic views of Xinjiang and Tibet captured by the accompanying photographers.

    Additionally, the official WeChat account of Kaiyuan Tourism Group, "Kaiyuan 1988," will provide full photo and text coverage of the cycling event, publishing Chairman Chen Miaolin’s daily cycling diary in real time and sharing the stunning landscapes of Xinjiang and Tibet captured by the accompanying photographers.