Located in the westernmost part of China, Xinjiang boasts vast territory and diverse landscapes. The forests and grasslands of the Tianshan Mountains blend seamlessly with snow-capped peaks, creating a majestic and spectacular scenery.2014Year7Month26Day, the Xinjiang leg of the second season of the Subaru “31Forests Star Journey,” organized by Outdoor Exploration magazine, arrived at the picturesque Chrysanthemum Terrace in the southern mountains of Urumqi.
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Early in the morning, nearly60Subaru enthusiasts gathered at the Subaru flagship store in Urumqi Youhao Auto City. A brief departure ceremony and lively dance performances marked the start of the experience event in a joyous atmosphere. Participants and staff rode together on one coach, three Subaru test vehicles, and three service vehicles. Along the way, they interacted and got to know each other, quickly becoming familiar as old friends. The professional guide introduced basic knowledge and essentials of outdoor activities, while the Subaru sales manager conveyed the design philosophy and vehicle features of being a “Travel Expert” through an engaging quiz. Storytelling, jokes, and performances added fun throughout the journey. Before the entertainment ended, the vehicles had already arrived at their destination.
Under a clear blue sky with white clouds drifting above undulating mountains and lush spruces, everyone was enchanted by the unspoiled beauty of nature the moment they stepped off the bus, far from the hustle and bustle of the city and the worries of daily life. After grouping up, warming up, organizing gear, and taking a short rest, the group hiking activity immersed everyone in the embrace of nature. Though the uphill climb was somewhat challenging for first-timers, they soon adapted by adjusting their breathing and pace under the guide’s direction. Once over the ridge and atop the plateau, the breathtaking view unfolded: green meadows, towering spruces, and flocks of sheep slowly moving beneath the peaks. Time seemed to drift slowly through a painting. Excited participants formed various poses to express their feelings. On the vast grassland of the plateau, team-building games such as “King of the Mountain” and “Working Together” were played one after another, and group photos were an essential “optional activity.”
Of course, all of this was just the prelude—the main highlight of the event was the mountain cleanup, embodying environmental protection and humanistic values. Caring for nature and environmental awareness are duties of every citizen and the shared wish of all participants. Regardless of gender or age, everyone picked up litter encountered along the way using eco-bags, restoring nature’s original beauty. When they returned to the starting point with bags full of collected trash, a rich lunch with strong ethnic flavors was served in a Kazakh yurt decorated with beautiful tapestries.
After the meal, on the grassy area in front of the yurt, two Subaru vehicles served as supports with a slackline stretched between them. This outdoor activity, which tested balance the most, gave participants a real sense of how crucial equilibrium is for moving objects. It also mirrored the design philosophy behind Subaru’s horizontally opposed engine.
The climax of the event was the Eco-Star Award. Teams weighed the trash they collected during the hike, and ultimately Group G won first place with12.9kilograms, earning the title of Eco-Star of the day. Each member of the group received a gift from the organizers.
Before they could fully savor the wonderful experience, eager participants were already climbing into the “Forester,” perhaps already confident about their ideal car choice...
The event concluded successfully, leaving everyone deeply impressed. Combining test drives with outdoor activities proved to be a rich and engaging format. In recent years, with China’s economic development and shifting lifestyles, combining road trips with outdoor living has become a major trend reflecting modern fashion. Emphasizing environmental consciousness by integrating with and caring for nature, as well as promoting teamwork and attention to detail—these principles align perfectly with Subaru’s brand spirit and corporate culture.
Stepping into31forests, each time is an experience of merging with nature; the outdoors is a way of life, and environmental protection is a lifestyle attitude. Let’s follow Outdoor Exploration to the next stop — Yinchuan.
