Spring Tour in Ancient Yixian: Cycle Through the Fairyland of Huangshan
The 10th China Huangshan (Yixian) International Mountain Bike Open by ŠKODA HEROS Opens
Foreign and Domestic Riders Compete on China’s Most Beautiful Course
On March 28, as one of the major events of the ŠKODA HEROS China Cycling Series, the 10th China Huangshan (Yixian) International Mountain Bike Open officially started in Ink-Painted Hongcun.
The two-day event attracted professional riders from more than 13 countries and regions, along with nearly a thousand mountain bike enthusiasts. The sight of cyclists riding through seas of rapeseed flowers has become an enduring classic of the Huangshan race, earning this mountain course the reputation of “China’s Most Beautiful Course.”
A Decade of Prestigious Racing
Since 2006, the Huangshan Race, now in its tenth consecutive year, has been widely recognized as China’s premier amateur mountain biking event. This year's competition, marking its 10th anniversary, garnered even more attention and reached unprecedented scale. In addition to Chinese riders, over a thousand professional cyclists and mountain biking enthusiasts from 13 countries and regions including the UK, France, Germany, and Italy gathered in Yixian, Huangshan. It is reported that many of these athletes have participated for five years in a row, and some are “die-hard fans” who have been there for all ten years, accompanying and witnessing the race’s glorious decade. Notably, international professional stars such as the Ward brothers from Australia also made their first appearance at the Huangshan Race, adding further excitement to the event.
This year’s Open featured races in men’s and women’s 18km, 36km, and 72km categories, a 4km family group, a 10km experience group, totaling eight categories. Dozens of China’s top amateur cycling teams—including Trek China Team, ŠKODA Progress Team, CUBE China Team, and Specialized China Team—along with numerous mountain biking enthusiasts, competed fiercely across the various groups.
As the organizer, OLYM Sports arranged over 10 peripheral activities for all ages during the event, including children’s bike experience races and fun cycling contests, making the professional race more accessible to the general public.
Champions List
Category Champion
Men’s 18km Xi’an Milan Long-Distance Cycling Team - Wang Xiaoqiao
Women’s 18km Rex Team - Deng Huping
Men’s 36km Specialized China Team - Hu Hao
Women’s 36km Rex Team - He Chong
Men’s 72km Specialized China Team - Hu Hao
Women’s 72km Rex Team - Deng Huping
Cycling Through Sea of Flowers on the Most Beautiful Course
For ten years, the Huangshan Race has been held in Yixian, a World Cultural Heritage site in southern Anhui. With cultural landmarks such as Hongcun and Xidi, Yixian has gained an iconic calling card thanks to the Huangshan Race. The event takes place when peach blossoms and rapeseed flowers are in full bloom, complemented by the unique Huizhou-style architecture. The racecourse passing through scenic spots like Hongcun, Xiali, and Tachuan offers breathtaking views. Riders not only enjoy the thrill of competitive sports but also immerse themselves in the local culture and scenery. Cycling through seas of rapeseed flowers and past white walls and black tiles has become an enduring classic of the Huangshan Race, which is now hailed by cyclists as “China’s Most Beautiful Course.”
Over the past decade, Yixian, Huangshan has gradually built itself into one of China’s most representative sports-tourism brands. Sports tourism integrating fitness, leisure, and travel has become a new consumption hotspot in Yixian, and mountain cycling has emerged as a new trend in tourism. With ten years of the Huangshan Race, Yixian is on its way to becoming a “cycling paradise and outdoor heaven.”
It is reported that the organizer, OLYM Sports, plans to hold 10 events this year, and cycling enthusiasts are welcome to stay tuned.
Follow the official Weibo account “@OLYM-SPORTS” and the official WeChat account “HEROS” for updates and interactions anytime.
Appendix: Annual Event Schedule
Date Type Location
March Shanghai Cycling Race Shanghai - Jiading
March International Mountain Bike Festival Anhui Huangshan
April Shanghai Cycling Race Shanghai - Nanhui
May Shanghai Cycling Race Shanghai - Jiading
June Shanghai Loop Cycling Race Shanghai-Songjiang
July Granfondo Anhui Huangshan
August Shanghai Loop Cycling Race Shanghai-Fengxian
September Shanghai Loop Cycling Race Shanghai-Qingpu
October Shanghai Loop Closing Stage and Year-End Gala Shanghai International Circuit
November Granfondo Fujian Wuyishan