2016Year4Month17Day, the press conference for the “11th Gobi Challenge Business Schools MBA Competition along the Journey to the West” (hereinafter referred to as the “11th Gobi Challenge”) hosted by Beijing Xingzhi Tansuo Culture Development Co., Ltd. was held in Beijing798Art ZoneLiveTank. Journalists from over5050media outlets, representatives from the participating schools of the 11th Gobi Challenge, and partners attended the event.
The “Gobi Challenge Business Schools MBA Competition along the Journey to the West” originated from2005—2006200610CCTV’s large-scale cultural exploration project “Retracing the Journey to the West.” It has been successfully held for ten editions to date. Includingobserving institutions, a total of5012business schools are participating in the “11th Gobi Challenge,” among which there are3410mainland Chinese institutions,122from Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan, and42international schools. Over25002,000MBA studentsEMBAfrom leading business schools across China and abroad will take part in this edition.
The “11th Gobi Challenge” will commence with team gatherings in Dunhuang, Gansu on5May201st,5with the official race starting on22May1122nd. Participants will set off from Suoyang City (Talisi) in Guazhou County, Gansu, and over the course of three nights and four days, they will trek through
Cross-sector integration creates new business formats
As the organizer of the Gobi Race,2015At the end of the year, Xingzhi Discovery was listed on the NEEQ, and this year marks the platform’s10anniversary. As the flagship event under the platform and the most influential cultural experience competition forEMBAbusiness elites in China, the 11th Gobi Race (Gobi XI) has become the new starting point for the platform’s next decade.
At the“Gobi XI”press conference, Qu Xiangdong, President of Xingzhi Discovery and founder of the Silk Road Adventure (the Gobi Race),President,Founder of the Silk Road Adventure (the Gobi Race) Qu Xiangdong,specifically reviewed the development history of the Xingzhi Discovery brand over the pastyears with the media.10YearsTen years ago, the “Silk Road Adventure Large-Scale Cultural Expedition,” aimed at tracing and honoring the spirit of Xuanzang, was not only the starting point of this race but also the origin of Xingzhi Discovery as a cross-sector, integrated, and innovative platform.
Xingzhi DiscoveryPresident,Founder of the Silk Road Adventure (the Gobi Race) Qu Xiangdong
According to Qu Xiangdong,in justthe platform’sflagship Silk Road Adventure brandseries ofevents have, over the past10years,attracted a cumulative total of2million participants, with the total hiking distance being enough to circle the Earth nearly40times.10Over the years, the Xingzhi Discovery platform has consistently relied on the “Silk Road Adventure” brand, continuously innovating and developing various types of activities suitable for different groups.
In terms of competitions: In addition to the MBA Challenge, the Silk Road Adventure Eight Hundred Li Off-Road Extreme Race was launched in recent years. Participants must carry their own gear, navigate independently, and provide their own supplies to complete the full 400-kilometer course. The event aligns with world-class competitions in terms of race design, cultural experience, participant caliber, and event organization.
Beyond events organized by the platform itself, it also exports high-quality resources and engages in deep collaboration with various local governments and institutions, providing high-level race management and operational services. Its range of competitions has grown rapidly, including the Businessmen’s Great Expedition, Chengdu Double Heritage Marathon, Nanjing Jiangning Chunniushou International Marathon, and China Rowing Open, among others.
Including the Gobi Race,2016the platform plans to hold19a series of rowing, marathon, cross-country, and other types of eventsthis year.
In terms of education and training, there are programs such as the “Blade Leadership Practice Camp” and “Blade International Open Leadership Camp” for corporate executives; the “Entrepreneur Gobi Expedition” for entrepreneurs; and the “Gobi Coming-of-Age Ceremony,” “Gobi Expeditionary Force,” and “Gaoligong Jungle Expeditionary Force” for teenagers. In addition, Xingzhi Tansuo continues to develop new educational training programs, such as retracing the “Road to Rome” with economists and entrepreneurs to deeply explore the patterns of civilization and economic development, and to cultivate “big-picture leadership.”
Beyond the Silk Road Series brand, Xingzhi Tansuo’s “Extreme Beauty” has, after years of development, become one of the most professional polar travel experts. It offers in-depth experiences such as reaching the North Pole via a Russian nuclear-powered icebreaker and trekking in Antarctica. It is currently developing other derivative products centered around polar regions, forming a uniquely distinctive product line.
“Currently, the Xingzhi Tansuo brand system has formed three product lines, which we call experiential competitions, experiential education, and experiential travel,” said Qu Xiangdong.
According to incomplete statistics,“the implementation of the Silk Road Series”activities has brought direct benefits of9600RMB to local cultural tourism, catering, and other service industries in Guazhou County, driving consumption of3RMB billion, and increasing local income by over3000RMB.Just last year, the average training and competition cost per participant in the Gobi Race alone reached7~10RMB, with total costs amounting to about1.5RMB billion,significantly boosting the sports-related industry.
Xingzhi Tansuo’s10years of cross-industry integration, innovation, and transformation have created a brand-new business ecosystem covering multiple fields and products, building a unique industrial chain integrating sports, culture, and tourism. It has formed a large cultural and creative platform with core capabilities in the planning, design, and execution of deep-experience products, aggregating various elements.
Qu Xiangdong said: Xingzhi Tansuo aims to be an integrator of cultural tourism industry chains, a leader in healthy lifestyles for the middle class, and an operator of eventIPcontent. No company is immortal, but cities can be. Numerous elements compete, share, and exchange within this ecosystem. Xingzhi Tansuo hopes to build such an ‘urbanized’ ecosystem in the future, allowing fellow Gobi friends and businesses and the middle class who love culture and outdoor experiences to grow together.
Cultural guardians and communicators
At the press conference, Qu Xiangdong elaborated on the platform's values and vision. The vitality of the platform is not only reflected in its clear future direction, enormous growth potential, continuous self-improvement through innovation, and a new business model that drives local economic development and creates win-win outcomes for related industries.
What the platform values even more is its original mission as a guardian and communicator of Chinese culture,aggregating social values such as cultural exchange and dissemination, cultural heritage preservation, environmental protection, and public welfare initiatives. Together with the middle class, it reflects on the spiritual value of meaning through action. This multi-dimensional, multi-layered holistic energy is the true vitality of this endeavor.
10The “Silk Road Large-Scale Cultural Exploration Activity” fromyears ago was selected as a national-level cultural exchange event by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the same year,and received a visit from then-President Hu Jintao during his trip to India;2014year9In September, Chinese President Xi Jinping visited India, and the high-definition documentary "The Journey of Xuanzang," produced with investment from Xingzhi Exploration, was presented as a national gift to Indian Prime Minister Modi.
10Over the years, Xingzhi Exploration has invested700million yuan in the health and sustainable development of the activities in Guazhou. The investments include aspects such as cultural relic protection and environmental conservation, including the formulation of the "Xuanzang Road Protection and Utilization Plan"; the compilation of the "Environmental Impact Special Report on the Xuanzang Road Series of Cultural Experience Activities within the Ansai Nature Reserve" and the "Environmental Impact Assessment Report Form for the Xuanzang Road Series of Cultural Activities Project"; the planning of the "Suoyangcheng Ruins Archaeological Site Park"; and the completion of protection work for related cultural relics and sites along the route, installation of fencing, construction of campsites, road repairs, greening, fiber-optic access, and more...
Since the inception of the event, Xingzhi Exploration has advocated for participants andenterprisesto engage in social welfare activities. At the initiative of the organizing committee (according to incomplete statistics), MBA participants andparticipating enterpriseshave donated money and materials to Guazhou, ranging from cash to building hope primary schools, providing medical equipment, pesticides and farming tools, poverty alleviation funds, scholarships, charitable surgeries, and Gobi public welfare forests. The cumulative value of donations has reached nearly800million yuan.
Through the "Beijing Gofriends Public Welfare Assistance Foundation" established during the Gobi Race, a total of1000gofriends have participated in various public welfare activities such as teaching support, rescue operations, and disability assistance, contributing a total of10thousand volunteer hours. A total of300principals from remote mountainous areas in Guizhou, Sichuan, Gansu, and other regions have participated in Gobi walks and related training.1000Multiple disabled families have received assistance. The foundation has cumulatively received over1600million yuan in public welfare donations including money and goods.
This year’s "Gobi Eleven",The foundation will continue to host the "Run With Me" event, organizing20team members with intellectual disabilities, physical disabilities, and visual impairments to experience Gobi trekking accompanied by volunteers. This aims to enhance communication and integration between disabled and able-bodied individuals, inspire positive energy mutually, and promote the self-motivated integration of disabled individuals into society through a vibrant and mutually supportive outdoor hiking project.
Qu Xiangdong said: "Since its inception, the Xuanzang Road has taken the pursuit of the Chinese spirit as its mission. To date, there have been2thousand fellow travelers. Our direction remains unchanged, and so does our mission."
Inspiring Positive Energy Among the Middle Class
At the press conference, Qu Xiangdong stated that the rapid development of Xingzhi Exploration over the past10years has benefited from two factors. The first is witnessing and promoting the rise of China’s middle class over the past10years, exerting a unique influence on the formation of their values. Represented by the elite of business schools,EMBAthe new social stratum has accumulated considerable wealth through their own efforts during a historic period of continuous reform deepening, market liberalization, and abundant opportunities and vitality.
They have their own understanding of social development, personal growth and breakthroughs, and a healthy lifestyle. They are sensitive to action, possess outstanding humanistic spirit and aspirations, which were fully demonstrated during the Gobi Challenge. Through competitive long-distance trekking, they experienced different scenarios such as teamwork, mutual aid among teammates, surpassing opponents, and solitary introspection, feeling the energy of tempering willpower and breaking through limits, reflecting on the relationship and meaning of persistence versus letting go, and original intentions versus goals.
Most participants in the Gobi Challenge are around40years old—middle-aged individuals who are the backbone of enterprise management, social relationships, and family life. In recent years, despite the economic downturn, their fighting spirit has not been dampened. Instead, they have become more enthusiastic about public welfare, education, and sports such as running, trekking, and cycling. Within the culturally rich Gobi Challenge, they deeply understand and resonate with the spirit of Xuanzang, igniting an attitude of proactive living and life awakening, and aggregating the positive energy generated from the deep integration of commercial civilization and humanistic spirit.
On the other hand, it also benefits from continuous cross-boundary and innovative attempts. This is both a cause and a result. The enthusiastic participation of numerous gofriends has enabled this platform to continuously improve and grow. It serves as a communication hub for elites from business schools at home and abroad, giving rise to many entrepreneur-led organizations such as outdoor clubs and public welfare institutions, creating numerous new business opportunities and collaborations.
The strongest support system in the history of the Gobi Race
At the press conference, Qiu Lei, Director of the Xuanzang Road Race Center, provided the media with a detailed explanation of the new changes for "Gobi XI." This year, applications from mainland business schools for observation and participation will, in principle, no longer be accepted. According to the established practice that official participating teams must first undergo one cycle of observation and evaluation, there will also be no new mainland institutions joining the competition next year.
This is partly because, as the scale of the event continues to expand, it has already covered most of the elite business schools in the mainland that offer such education.EMBAOn the other hand, to allow for optimized operations and system improvements, it is not advisable to rapidly increase the number of participants. In contrast, the number of participating institutions from Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan has doubled this year.
As a platform for exchange among business schools at home and abroad, over the history of the Gobi Race, the differing understandings and insights of participants from the mainland and overseas have fostered mutual communication and learning—enhancing both sides. Mainland participants have learned from their overseas counterparts about specific needs for sports equipment, as well as their mindset while enjoying outdoor hiking and racing. Overseas participants, in turn, have learned from the mainland teams about team management experience and the drive to continually surpass teammates and oneself.
With the continuous participation of top international business schools, the future development direction of the Gobi Race will also expand further overseas.
According to Qiu Lei, after10years of operation, the organizing committee has continuously improved the race system.“The most appealing change in Gobi XI”is the comprehensive upgrade of the race support system. Taking the core capability—medical support—as an example, a five-tier support system has been established. The base layer consists of a medical team led by the local health bureau director of Guazhou; the support layer includes expert teams from Jiuquan City; the strong emergency response layer is operated by mobile field hospitals managed by expert teams fromthe officially designated emergency rescue organization“First Response”for life-saving assistance for Gobi participants. There is also a telemedicine layer, provided by the officially designated remote medical service provider "Xinyi International," which offers remote specialist consultations for critical and severe cases. The final layer is a professional rehabilitation advice and service support team led by Dr. Li Hongtu fromICUThe ward serves as a high-strength emergency response layer, providing life rescue support for the participants in the Gobi March; there is also a telemedicine layer, undertaken by the officially designated remote medical service provider for the event, "Xinyi International," which offers remote specialist consultations for critically ill patients; andNew Zealandwith extensive Gobi experience,Dr.Sam Lioffering specialized rehabilitation services to participants.
and the convergence of partner products and spirit
Over the past decade, the Xuanzang Road has attracted many partners who share its values, providing high-quality products and services for the race and its participants.
As a long-term strategic partner of the Gobi Challenge, Red Bull has been involved from the beginning, contributing not only energy sponsorship but also aligning in spirit, becoming an indispensable part of the "Gobi friends'" journey of challenging themselves and striving for excellence. On the Gobi racecourse, Red Bull energy supply stations provide timely energy replenishment for the "Gobi friends" and serve as a strong guarantee for their successful race completion. Over the past ten years of the race, "Gobi friends" have consumed more than11100,000 cans of Red Bull, making it a standard energy supply essential for those traversing the Gobi. Beyond ample energy drinks, the philosophy of challenging limits promoted by Red Bull has become a clarion call for the "Gobi friends" to persevere. In addition to energy support, Red Bull will collaborate with the American fashion and health brand Vita Coco to provide "Gobi friends" with natural coconut water products, which offer excellent hydration benefits.
Dong Li, the renowned Chinese female off-road runner signed by Red Bull,
is set to head to the Gobi this5monthJeepA professional-grade luxurySUVimported Jeep Grand Cherokee
by GAC Fiat Chrysler Automobiles Sales Co., Ltd.JeepBrand Director Wang Sicong
“Those who have traversed the vast Gobi Desert are all brothers and sisters. We make passion tangible through strength!” As an expert in experiential event operations, the Xuanzang Road, together with global professional-levelSUVleaders, Jeepcreated a collision that can be described as “passion against passion, professionalism against professionalism, legend against legend”—a resonance of values. Together with elites, they venture to uncharted lands and experience lives never before lived, achieving new selves and helping others, deeply igniting the professional spirit of entrepreneurship and life.EMBAJoin elites to explore uncharted lands, experience lives never before lived, become new versions of yourself and others, and deeply inspire the professional spirit of entrepreneurship and life.
Platinum partner of the event, Outdoor Products, was personally led by Chairman Sheng Faqiang to trek the Gobi last year. After enduring a full112kilometers of physical and mental challenges, he said: “(At that point) physical strength can no longer be changed, the only variable is the heart—and the heart is the source of all energy. Overcome complacency and fear, remember your original intention, and persevere for your ideals.”
Outdoor Products cheers on Gobi Race XI
In the eyes of the explorers, the Gobi is a spiritual home for challenging oneself and drawing energy. The “Outdoor Products” brand has always upheld the “courageous heart,” consistently providing safe and comfortable outdoor gear for brave and ambitious outdoor enthusiasts, earning deep trust and affection from consumers. The Gobi Race is an influence and reshaping of commercial civilization and humanistic spirit, allowing people to experience the values of ideals, action, perseverance, and transcendence in harsh environments. This deeply resonates with the brand philosophy advocated by Outdoor Products.
Appearing at the race for11consecutive times is also partner ASUS, who, along with technical support partner Neusoft Group, provides communication and packaged equipment for the event. In the field of information technology, Huafeng Aircom, which specializes in providing accurate weather forecasting services, delivered crucial weather data during the event, serving as an important reference for its operation.Chinatrust Life insured each participant with high-coverage insurance.
During the event, participants could also enjoy salmon slices provided by Minze Longyangxia, consult with Lianwai Immigration about considerations for their children studying abroad, try out professional outdoor gear from Hanjiang and other brands, and experience new fiber textile products from Kelon. Returning this year,VITACOCOcontinued to offer natural coconut water with ultra-highEpotassium content to help participants quickly replenish fluids and electrolytes.
At the end of the press conference, the Gobi friend representative from last year’s champion, Xiamen University, handed over the championship trophy to the organizing committee, while Qu Xiangdong presented the commemorative edition trophy to the Gobi friends.
Over the past ten years, business giants such as Liu Chuanzhi, Wang Shi, and Feng Lun, renowned scholars like Zhang Weiying and Qi Daqing,2and over ten thousand social elites have walked this mission-driven and heritage-rich path, inspired by the Xuanzang spirit of “ideals, action, and perseverance.” A new decade, a new starting point, a new brand system, and upgraded safeguards—the Xuanzang Road, as a new industry integrating spiritual, social, economic, public welfare, educational, and experiential values, continues to provide the most influential spiritual motivation products and energy-gathering platforms for the growth of China’s middle class.