Xinjiang is vast in territory and rich in resources, with magnificent mountains and rivers that captivate countless people. Located in the southwestern part of Xinjiang, Yecheng County boasts abundant tourism resources and is known as the "Zero Kilometer Point of the Heavenly Road" and the "First City of the Kunlun Mountains." Recently, K2 and the Xinjiang-Tibet Highway have officially received Guinness World Records certification as the "Mountain with the Longest Hiking Route" and the "Highest Altitude Highway," solidifying the rich natural resources and tourism value of Yecheng in Xinjiang.
1Month26Afternoon14:30, the "Yecheng Tourism Guinness World Records Certification Press Conference," hosted by the People's Government of Yecheng County and organized by the Shanghai Promotion Center for Xinjiang Tourism and Shanghai Travel Network Travel Service Co., Ltd., was successfully held in Shanghai. Attending the conference were distinguished leaders and guests, including Zhang Bin, Deputy Commander of the Yecheng Sub-Command of Shanghai’s Aid-Xinjiang Program, Standing Committee Member of the Yecheng County Party Committee, and Deputy County Magistrate; Gu Zhaoliang, Director of the Shanghai Promotion Center for Xinjiang Tourism; Gao Jun, Executive Dean of the Urban Development Research Institute at Shanghai Normal University, Deputy Dean of the Tourism College, and Vice President of Shanghai Tourism College; Lin Peizhao, General Manager of the Guinness World Records (China) Headquarters; Luo Biao, Founder of Xinjiang Kaitu Alpine Outdoor Sports Co., Ltd.... Representatives from well-known travel agencies and outdoor clubs in Shanghai also witnessed this exciting moment together.
At the press conference, all parties engaged in in-depth discussions and exchanges on the tourism resources of K2 and the Xinjiang-Tibet Highway, as well as the significant importance of the Guinness World Records certification for the development of Yecheng’s tourism. County Magistrate Zhang Bin pointed out:"Shanghai, as an excellent source of tourists for Yecheng, has brought more opportunities and challenges. Today’s Yecheng, with strong support from Shanghai, is actively promoting tourism industry aid to Xinjiang. We are strengthening tourism infrastructure construction and developing new forms of tourism products in Yecheng, cultivating new consumption hotspots.2018In the coming year, we believe that through close collaboration between the two regions, we will achieve broader and deeper development, ushering in a spring of tourism prosperity."”
Meanwhile, Dean Gao Jun brought new academic insights to the attendees; Mr. Luo Biao introduced the tourism development significance of hiking K2 from the perspective of outdoor adventure; and renowned travel influencer DaxiaV5also shared his experience of driving along the Xinjiang-Tibet Highway.
County Magistrate Zhang Bin received the certificate from Mr. Lin Peizhao, marking the official Guinness World Records recognition of K2 and the Xinjiang-Tibet Highway. This is not only an affirmation of Yecheng’s natural resources but also a showcase of the region’s all-for-one tourism. It not only boosts the pride of50million Yecheng residents but also helps the world better understand Yecheng and its splendid natural treasures.
At this press conference, the Yecheng County Tourism Bureau also signed a framework agreement for the cooperative development of "specialty tourism" with well-known travel agencies and outdoor clubs in Shanghai, supporting the sustainable development of Yecheng’s tourism.
Extended Reading:
K2, meaning "Majestic Mountain" in Tajik, stands at an elevation of8611meters. It is the main peak of the Karakoram Range and the second highest mountain in the world after Mount Everest, located on the border between China and Pakistan with geographic coordinates of76.5degrees east longitude and35.9degrees north latitude. Its height ranks second among the world’s fourteen peaks over 8,000 meters, and it is internationally known asK2Peak. It is recognized as one of the more challenging peaks to climb in the international mountaineering community.
The Xinjiang-Tibet Highway, with the national highway number219, is also called219National Highway. Its starting point is in Yecheng County, Kashgar Prefecture, Xinjiang. It climbs over the Kunlun Mountains, which rise 3000 meters high, traverses the plateau between the Kunlun and Karakoram Mountains at an altitude of 4000-5000 meters to enter the rear Tibet Ngari Plateau, passing through Rutog County and Shiquanhe Town, and ending in Lhatse County. The Xinjiang-Tibet Highway spans 2810 kilometers from Yecheng in Xinjiang to Lhasa in Tibet, making it the highest-altitude highway in the world on average. Along the way, it crosses 5000 mountains over 5 meters high; most of the Xinjiang-Tibet Highway lies within uninhabited areas, which happen to be a paradise for wildlife—Tibetan wild asses and gazelles roam the foothills in herds. Travelers can also enjoy the ever-changing scenery of the Karakoram Mountains, the ruins of the ancient Guge Kingdom, Mount Kailash, and Lake Manasarovar, all breathtakingly beautiful and captivating.