Here’s what we saw and experienced in Zhangye the day before the challenge began.
I arrived in Zhangye on the evening of the 19th. Sitting on the high-speed train, the scenery was a continuous stretch of highland meadows and snow-capped mountains in the distance, with flocks of cattle and sheep leisurely grazing on the grasslands — a breathtaking view.
Upon stepping off the high-speed train, I was immediately struck by the stunning view: the modern Zhangye High-Speed Railway station set against the glow of the setting sun. Though the sun was going down, there were no heartbroken wanderers here—only free spirits.
On August 20, the media group joined the organizers to visit the Danxia landform scenic area within Zhangye National Geopark.
Located in northwestern China, Zhangye has historically been an important military stronghold. The soil in its Danxia landscape is relatively loose. The photo above was taken in the Binggou Danxia Scenic Area.
After millions of years of evolution, the landforms here have been shaped by wind erosion and rain, resulting in bizarre and unique shapes.
What would you name these two formations above?
Looking out from the mountaintop, the barren hills are no longer what they were centuries ago, but the blue sky still watches over the people living on this ancient land.
And the people, plants, and animals living here also survive—and thrive—in their own unique ways.
Next, we visited another Danxia landform scenic area where the colors are even more vibrant and spectacular.
First-time visitors to Zhangye often marvel at the ever-changing sky—clear one moment, dramatic the next—leaving everyone in awe of the northwestern skies. Here in Zhangye, we no longer bury ourselves in daily trivialities but instead look up to admire the beauty around us.
At around 5 p.m., we arrived at Dacheng School, where the opening ceremony of Yixingjia was about to begin.
The sunlight was just right, a gentle breeze was blowing, and white clouds drifted slowly by. Everyone was ready.
Green Field, as a partner of the event’s organizers, was interviewed by the local TV station.
We ran into members of Nature University, a nonprofit partner of Green Field, all out enjoying the outdoors and supporting public welfare.
You may not recognize the two foreign young men in the photos, but their dad is world-famous — William Lindesay, a Briton who hiked for 160 days from Shanhaiguan to Jiayuguan and founded the “International Friends of the Great Wall” association. Inspired by him, many more have joined the effort to protect the Great Wall, including his two sons pictured here.
At 6:30 p.m., the opening ceremony started on time, with participants engaging in interactive activities led by the host.
Those who made mistakes had to take the stage to receive their punishment.
The official launch ceremony then commenced.
The event received strong support from the Zhangye Municipal Government and the Sports Bureau. Various local leaders took turns introducing information about Zhangye and the event details—stay tuned for our in-depth report.
Local folk dances and songs instantly transported everyone to the heart of northwestern China.
Then, a special guest made an appearance: Li Qi, the champion of the second season of “The Voice of China,” performed his hit “A Song for My Future Self” and wowed the crowd. Li Qi will also be joining the first leg of the hiking challenge tomorrow.
The event also featured notable speakers, including representatives from the Great Wall Research Association, winners of the previous challenge, and Tencent’s public welfare ambassador Zhang Yidan, who gave speeches on topics such as Great Wall preservation, outdoor sports, and philanthropy.
Next came the oath-taking ceremony, where judges, volunteer representatives, and athlete representatives all pledged to abide by the rules and complete the race.
All parties involved in this event
After the torch made a lap around the arena, it was handed over by William Lindesay to the organizers to light the cauldron, officially marking the start of the 2015 Tencent Ancient Great Wall Charity Challenge.
Friends from Green Field, friends from Nature University, keep up the good work in the upcoming race and aim for great results.
A high-speed train roars past beside the sports field, while high-tech, modern aerial drones hover overhead. The development of technology and transportation will surely bring even more brilliance to this beautiful city, and we hope people from all over the world can enjoy its scenic wonders.
It’s late now, so here’s one last photo of Zhangye at dusk. Good night.