In the summer of 2012, the KAILAS “Rock Quest China” event was first launched in Yangshuo, gathering elite climbers from various regions to form a route-setting team for “Rock Quest China.” Along the way, as they discovered some of China’s lesser-known but finest cliff resources, they also developed many interesting new routes, attracting numerous climbing enthusiasts to share the joy of climbing.
The cliffs hidden in the mountains and wilderness are among the world’s most captivating landscapes, the most spiritually vibrant dwellings of nature, and the most sought-after sacred sites for climbers. And “Rock Quest China” is the showcase of these dynamic and majestic cliffs. This year, the quest team has grown even stronger, led by KAILAS climbers Xie Weicheng and Zhao Zhongjun, joined by more domestic experts such as Zhang Xiaoliu, Qiu Jiang, Zhang Yong, Su Feng, Marcos, Li Lan, and Crack, setting off together once again to explore new talent, new cliffs, and new experiences across the country, kicking off a new round of rock quests across China’s 9.6 million square kilometers.
After comprehensively considering the local cliff resource conditions and the actual climbing needs of climbers in various regions, the 2014 “Rock Quest China” team has selected four locations for the event: Fangshan in Beijing, Anshan and Benxi in Liaoning, Chengdu and Leshan, and Shigu in Lijiang. New sites, new experiences—let’s take an early look at the details of each location:
Beijing Stop: Fangshan Sidu Long’an Cliff Area
The Fangshan Sidu Long’an Cliff Area in Beijing is about 100 kilometers from downtown Beijing, primarily composed of metamorphic limestone, with the Long’an crag leaning more toward dolomite. Long’an features a massive independent rock formation, locally known as Golden Rock. Stretching 400 meters in length and reaching up to 150 meters in height, it is estimated to accommodate around 120 routes. This Beijing stop of Rock Quest China will mainly develop routes on this cliff while also renovating existing routes at the Sidu and Sidu crags.
Estimated new routes: 50
Date: May 10–18
Liaoning Stop: Anshan and Benxi
The Liaoning stop is located in the central part of Northeast China, where outdoor sports are well-developed and have a broad community base. However, there has long been a severe lack of natural cliff routes, which has impacted the development of climbing as well as the promotion of standardized venues and techniques. This Rock Quest event plans to establish 2–3 new crags in both Benxi and Anshan, and to host a climbers’ gathering with local climbers.
Estimated new routes: 50
Date: May 19–25
Sichuan Stop: Chengdu and Leshan
Shawan in Leshan is 200 kilometers from Chengdu and features limestone. Chengdu has a large base of climbers but has long suffered from a serious shortage of natural cliff resources. The development of this cliff area will significantly boost climbing in Chengdu. The cliff is located at the end of a township-level road, with a favorable natural environment that can be developed into an excellent crag.
Estimated new routes: 30
Date: May 26–June 2
Lijiang Stop: Shigu
The Lijiang stop is located near Shitou Village in Shigu Town,
about an hour’s drive from Lijiang. It features limestone. Shitou Village boasts beautiful scenery and a well-preserved natural state. The cliff is easily accessible, majestic, and features top-tier rock quality. With heights of 150–300 meters and a width of nearly 1,000 meters, it has the potential to become the largest single-rock-face crag in China. Coupled with Lijiang’s geographical and climatic advantages, it is sure to become a new climbing hotspot in China and even the world.
Estimated new routes: 50, plus multiple multi-pitch routes.
Date: June 3–June 14