Where to go during the Mid-Autumn Festival? Climb the Great Wall—too crowded; head to the seaside—it’s a bit cold this time of year; go abroad—too short a trip; find a farmhouse inn to eat and drink? That’s too uninspired... Bring your family, your friends, and your little ones, escape the hustle and bustle of the city, put on a pair of hiking shoes, pitch a tent, and join friends from all over the country to hike and chat during the day; camp, moon-gaze, and stargaze at night... How does that kind of hiking and camping life sound?
From September 4 to September 7, 2014, the 2014 China "Xinglong Wuling Mountain National Hiking Conference," themed “Focus on Air Quality, Promote National Fitness,” will soon kick off in Xinglong County, Chengde City, Hebei Province. Over 300 outdoor and hiking enthusiasts from across the country will gather in Xinglong County to launch the conference together. The 2014 China "Xinglong Wuling Mountain National Hiking Conference" is a large-scale public outdoor event jointly organized by the Mountaineering Sports Management Center of the General Administration of Sport of China, the Hebei Provincial Sports Bureau, and the People’s Government of Xinglong County.
The event will be structured as “long-distance hiking + camping.” The Wuling Mountain loop hike is a 9-day activity, to be completed over three years, with 3 days and 100 kilometers hiked each year. The total route spans 265 kilometers. In 2014, hikers will start from Xinglong County Cultural Square for the opening ceremony and begin hiking north through Xinglong Cave, the South Gate of Wuling Mountain, the Shibatan Scenic Area Trail, Immortal Tower, and Lotus Pond, camping at the Lotus Pond Platform. On the second day, they’ll continue through Golden Eagle Cliff, the North Gate of Wuling Mountain, Heigukou Village (the birthplace of Beijing’s first ray of sunlight), arriving at Wuling Mountain Village, where they’ll camp. On the third day, they’ll pass through Chen Zhuang Village and Xiwanzi to Beiyingfang Town, where the closing ceremony will be held, marking the end of the first year’s activities. The total distance is 85 kilometers.
In the second year, 2015, the first day begins with an opening ceremony at Xinglong County Square, followed by a transfer bus ride to Beiyingfang Town, where the hike will commence. Heading south through Yao Zhaizi, Xiao Zhuozi Ridge, and Baima Chuan to Huangjiupuzi Village, participants will camp there after a 30-kilometer journey. On the second day, they’ll set out from Huangjiupuzi, travel southwest along Xiaohenghe River, pass through Miaoling Village to reach National Highway 112, then turn west toward Shuangshijing Scenic Area for camping—another 30 kilometers. On the third day, starting from Shuangshijing, they’ll follow National Highway 112 westward, turn south at Miaoliang Intersection, and continue to Xiangshutai Village, covering 31 kilometers. The closing ceremony will be held in Xiangshutai Village, concluding the second year’s journey.
In the third year, 2016, the first day begins with an opening ceremony at Xinglong Square, followed by a bus ride to the previous year’s endpoint at Xiangshutai, where the hike commences. A 31-kilometer trek leads to Madizhuang Village for camping. On the second day, hikers will start from Madizhuang, turn north at Geziyu, reach Jiulongtan Scenic Area, and camp there after a 28-kilometer hike. On the third day, starting from Jiulongtan, they’ll pass through Liuliping Scenic Area back to Xinglong County Square for the closing ceremony, completing the first loop around Wuling Mountain. The organizing committee will record the completion time of each participant who finishes the entire hike, awarding certificates and souvenirs. Those who participate for all three consecutive years and complete the full week will be eligible for a grand prize gear raffle.
The hiking conference will be held in the Xinglong Wuling Mountain National Nature Reserve, located in Xinglong County, Chengde City, northern Hebei Province. Its geographical coordinates are between 117°17′–117°35′ east longitude and 40°29′–40°38′ north latitude. It lies among the four cities of Beijing, Tianjin, Chengde, and Tangshan, being 140 km from Beijing, 180 km from Tianjin, 148 km from Tangshan, and 135 km from Chengde. The mountainous area within the reserve belongs to the Yanshan Mountain Range, specifically its central section, with the main peak, Waitao Peak, situated at the heart of the core area. It is known as the “Foremost of Eastern Beijing.”
Hiking and camping are healthy ways of life that allow people to reconnect with nature and enjoy active leisure. They also represent one of today’s most fashionable tourism cultures and fitness activities. The National Hiking Conference is highly participatory and safe, making it one of the most mainstream outdoor sports in China. It is a key outdoor brand promoted by the Mountaineering Sports Management Center of the General Administration of Sport of China, with around four events held across the country each year. Since its inception two years ago, the National Hiking Conference has been widely welcomed and actively participated in by hiking and outdoor enthusiasts, playing a very positive role in promoting the “National Fitness Program Outline,” showcasing the magnificent landscapes of the motherland, and inspiring patriotic enthusiasm. Currently, work on participant recruitment, activity sponsorship, and venue planning and construction is fully underway. Enthusiasts can visit the camping lifestyle website (www.mytentlife.com) for more up-to-date information.
Registration Methods
1. Online: Visit the Camping Lifestyle Website: http://www.mytentlife.com;
2. QQ: 958978597, QQ Group: 223117152 WeChat: @Camping Lifestyle Website;