At 10:00 a.m. on June 27, at the Heizhugou Scenic Area in Ebian, LeshanMalilengjiuColorful flags fluttered and drums thundered. The grand opening ceremony of the 2015 National Mountain Outdoor Obstacle Challenge in Heizhugou, Ebian, Leshan was held here. It is understood that this event is an important supporting activity of the 2nd Sichuan International Tourism Trade Expo. A total of 46 teams comprising about 200 athletes from across the country participated in the competition. This is also the first time such an event has been held in the Heizhugou Scenic Area.
According to the organizing committee, the competition is jointly organized by the Chinese Mountaineering Association, the Sichuan Provincial Sports Federation, and the People’s Government of Leshan City, and hosted by the Sichuan Mountaineering and Outdoor Sports Association, the Leshan Tourism and Sports Development Commission, and the People’s Government of Ebian Yi Autonomous County. Officials from the Mountain Sports Management Center of the General Administration of Sport of China explained that mountain outdoor sports, as a novel mass sporting activity, are highly popular among outdoor enthusiasts. In 2005, it was officially listed as a sport in China by the General Administration of Sport. This is a sports discipline tailored to regional characteristics where athletes challenge their physical and mental limits by overcoming natural obstacles in the wilderness while enjoying the beautiful natural scenery, achieving perfect harmony between humans and nature. The challenge held in Heizhugou Scenic Area was carefully designed and customized by the Chinese Mountaineering Association based on the natural features and local characteristics of the area, attracting a large number of domestic outdoor sports enthusiasts to participate. At that time, including20 professional teams, 16 open teams, and 10 experience teams — a total of 46 teams and about 200 athletes — will engage in fierce competition in the Heizhugou Scenic Area. According to the schedule, athletes willtake on challenges such as lifting heavy objects, rope climbing, pipe survival, crawling, and U-wall escape during cross-country runs.The top eight finishers in each individual event and the top three teams overall will be awarded prizes, with a total prize pool of 100,000 RMB (60,000 RMB for the professional group and 40,000 RMB for the open group).
The host venue, Heizhugou Scenic Area,is located within Ebian Yi Autonomous County, Leshan City,and is the closest ancient glacial landscape, primeval forest scenery, and eco-tourism area in Sichuan to a railway. It is also the nearest area to Chengdu where Yi ethnic culture can be experienced, boasting unique geographical advantages. It was designated as a provincial-level scenic spot in 1996, a national forest park in 1999, a national AAAA-level tourist attraction and national nature reserve in 2011, a national water conservancy scenic area and provincial eco-tourism demonstration zone in 2014, and is known as the "Bermuda Triangle of China" and the "World's Mystery Capital." The core area of Heizhugou Scenic Area covers 575 square kilometers, with altitudes ranging from 1,580 to 4,288 meters. It consists of seven major scenic zones: the Goukou entrance, Sancha River, Ronghongde, Tekemashan, Woluowaqu, Luosuoyida, and Azalea Pond. It features the magical landscapes and natural sceneries of the 30th parallel north, including six world-class scenic spots, 20 national-level scenic spots, over 5,000 species of flora and fauna, and more than 30 rare and endangered protected species. It is hailed as the "Paradise of Giant Pandas, Kingdom of Dove Trees, and World of Azaleas," possessing unique climate, geographical landscapes, and superior environmental quality, making it of distinctive value for tourism development.
In recent years, Leshan has been committed to developing and promoting the Heizhugou Scenic Area. Ebian Yi Autonomous County has positioned Heizhugou as the "World Mystery Capital · China’s Natural Geomagnetic Health Resort," striving to build the "Mount Emei–Leshan Giant Buddha–Heizhugou" golden tourism triangle of Leshan, forming a tourism pattern where "the Tibetan region has Jiuzhaigou, and the Yi region has Heizhugou." The organizers hope that through this competition, outstanding domestic outdoor athletes will experience the beautiful scenery of Heizhugou and feel its "mystery," further enhancing the scenic area’s visibility and influence.
A responsible official from the Leshan Municipal Tourism and Sports Commission stated that the integrated development of sports and tourism is an effective way to strengthen Leshan’s tertiary industry and boost socio-economic development, as well as an effective approach for Leshan to build itself into an international tourism destination and promote the transformation and upgrading of tourism. In recent years, Leshan has consistently promoted the coordinated development of sports and tourism, achieving remarkable results, with both sectors ranking among the top in the province.This year, in addition to hosting the "2015 National Mountain Outdoor Obstacle Challenge in Heizhugou, Ebian, Leshan," Leshan will also hold the "Tour of China International Road Cycling Race (Leshan Stage)" and the "2015 National Bridge A-Class Club League (Second Stop)." Leshan hopes to organically integrate the sports and leisure industry with the tourism and vacation industry by hosting these major sporting events,further enriching the connotation of Leshan as an international tourism destination and enhancing the city’s tourism image.
