N39°Huadiao Expedition
China’s first expedition team to hike across the Taklamakan Desert for the first time
D e p a r
2018enN39t
: °Huadiao Expedition – China’s First Expedition Team to Hike Across the Taklamakan Desert for the First Time Holds Departure Meet-upVenue: Korla, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region
Background:Organized by “China’s Contemporary Xu Xiake” Huadiao, China’s first expedition team plans to follow the historically proposed route along North LatitudeThirty-nineDegrees((abbreviated asN39°)), to complete the first-ever east-to-west trek across the Taklamakan Desert. After5months of preparation and basic training, all members of the expedition team have gathered in Korla and are about to embark on their desert trek, which is expected to take70days and cover approximately1500kilometers.
2018Earlier this year, British explorers once again launched an expedition to cross the heart of the Taklamakan along theN39° parallel. Upon hearing this news, Huadiao conceived and firmly resolved upon an idea: the first truly complete team to hike across the Taklamakan Desert on foot should be a Chinese expedition team. “The land of our motherland, let us measure it together step by step.” He wanted to use concrete actions to carry forward and promote the “Chinese spirit — one of mission, responsibility, commitment, and action.” Huadiao said, “I’ve been preparing for this for ten years. The project officially kicked off on6Month1this year. I retired officially at the age of8at the end of60, and I’ve made theN39° traverse my top life priority. I will not flinch, not waver, not be careless — I’ll just keep moving forward steadily. In one’s lifetime, there’s got to be at least one thing to be proud of!” Looking back on his 42 years of outdoor exploration experience, it seems all of it was preparation for this journey.15Years of outdoor exploration experience seem to have all been preparation for this one trip.
After the activity was initiated, it received support and attention from all sectors of society. China Youth Daily, China Youth Online, China National Travel, China News Service, People's Daily Online, Sina.com, and others have all reported on the event.
This expedition will mark another breakthrough and pioneering feat in humanity’s exploration of the unknown, opening up untouched territory for outdoor hiking routes and reaching the uncharted depths of the desert. We will document the entire journey with footage, capturing the diverse terrain and landforms of the desert, its vast and magnificent natural scenery, rare wildlife, and unique desert snowscapes, presenting to the world a uniquely captivating Taklamakan. At the same time, we will gather desert survival experiences and compile a series of pocket guidebooks such as the “Essential Handbook for Desert Exploration” and the “Self-Rescue Handbook for Desert Exploration,” providing scientific guidance and safety assurance for those passionate about desert adventures. The event will also integrate resources to establish a professional desert rescue team, enabling civil forces to better participate in and serve emergency rescue and disaster relief efforts in China’s desert regions.
Meeting agenda:
On11Month25, the expedition project team held a departure meeting in Korla, inviting heads of various organizations and institutions to discuss travel safety measures and details for future collaboration. Additionally, the project team plans to organize a108-kilometer elite desert hiking challenge at the endpoint of the trek — Maigaiti County in Xinjiang — to welcome the brave members of the expedition team and witness this memorable moment together. At the meeting, the10members of the Chinese Expedition Team and project team members made their first official public appearance before the media and public. Huadiao gave a presentation on the background and preparation of the project, the team assistant “Bullet” explained and showcased the route, and “Snow Wolf” elaborated on the extended direction of the activity. All supporting organizations enthusiastically expressed their full commitment to supporting and participating in the event’s protection and reporting efforts. Famous local art troupes in Korla were also present to add excitement to the occasion.
Organizations and institutions attending the meeting:(in no particular order):
XinjiangN39° Adventure Tourism Service Co., Ltd., Bazhou Sahara International Travel Agency Co., Ltd., Bazhou Pace-setter Advertising Co., Ltd., China Wildlife Conservation Association Bazhou Volunteer Alliance, China Communications Services Bazhou Branch, Zhejiang Dongyang Ruiyi Film and Television Culture Co., Ltd., Xinjiang Yikun Culture Media Co., Ltd., Korla Yinian Theme Hotel, Tianlang Commander, Sun Houqing, Zhang Jianfeng, Desert Loulan Voice Choir
News media attending the meeting:
China Youth Daily, China Youth Online, China National Travel, Bayinguoleng Daily, Korla Evening News, Bazhou People’s Broadcasting Station, Loulan News Network
The logos, text, images, partner signing rights, and project interpretation rights mentioned in this article are owned by theN39° Huadiao Expedition Project Team. For any reproduction or re-posting, please credit the source.
Editor: Tong Juan
Reviewed by: Xiao Xi
N39° Huadiao Adventure Project Team
Yunnan Yilu Kaihua Sports Development Co., Ltd.
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