Camping Base
“Take nothing but photos, leave nothing but footprints.” On June 11, the 2013 “Silk Road Spring” Cup Zhangye International Camping Festival, themed “Colorful Zhangye · Beautiful Ganzhou,” grandly opened at Binhu Square in Binhe New District, Zhangye. The two-day camping event attracted more than 4,300 outdoor sports enthusiasts from across China as well as from countries including Russia, Italy, France, and Canada.
Starting from the evening of June 10, the once bustling city of Zhangye became even livelier. Whether at Binhu Square, where water meets sky, or within the mystical Desert Sports Park, crowds gathered everywhere. Under the beautiful night sky filled with stars and a bright moon, tents dotted the picturesque landscape of lakes and mountains, bringing a wave of outdoor enthusiasm to the entire city. After the opening ceremony of the Zhangye International Camping Festival on the morning of June 11, an intense 2-kilometer flatwater kayaking competition was held at Binhu Square. The competitors’ spirited racing earned enthusiastic applause from the lakefront audience. Later, participants “moved on” to the 18-kilometer loaded hiking event at the Desert Sports Park, where activities such as desert tug-of-war, desert watermelon transport, and outdoor cooking competitions were held, giving the citizens of Zhangye a taste of the joy of outdoor sports.
According to further reports from journalists, the 2013 “Silk Road Spring” Cup Zhangye International Camping Festival was approved by the General Administration of Sport of China, hosted by the People’s Government of Ganzhou District, Zhangye City, and organized by China Outdoor Network and the Ganzhou District Sports Bureau. During the festival, a variety of professional, leisure, experiential, and off-road automotive sports events will be held, including three high-level professional events: the Zhangye International Outdoor All-Round Challenge, the Zhangye International Mountain Bike Open, and the Desert Team Loaded Hiking Race. There will also be mass participation events such as desert tug-of-war, desert watermelon transport, outdoor cooking competitions, bonfire parties, and camping. Additionally, simple life showcases like environmental-themed films, beach soccer, cockfighting, and the Big Kids’ Carnival (water fight PK) will take place. A number of experience activities will also be offered, including Free Travel in Beautiful Zhangye and the “Colorful Gansu · Starting from Ganzhou” Premium Silk Road Tour.