Welcome to the
Gobi Desert, China
China's Gobi Desert is a land of wild nature, steeped in legend and mystery. Known for its stark natural beauty and its role as a gateway to the ancient Silk Road, this region offers a rare opportunity to explore China's cultural heritage on foot. The races of the Ultra Gobi Series take place in this setting.
At a Glance
Next Event: Sep. 27–Oct. 4, 2026
Registration: Open
Airport: Dunhuang Mogao International Airport (DNH), China
Non-stop race: A+ (121km, nonstop)
Climate: Extreme - warm/hot days and cold nights
Multi-stage formats: A (121km, 4-days, team race), B (121km, 4-days, stage), C (17/30km, 1-day)
UPCOMING EVENTS
121km. Nonstop. One night in the desert.
◆ 121km. Nonstop
◆ 30 hrs cutoff
◆ Self-navigated
◆ Self-supported
◆ 200+ runners
121km as a team. 4 days, 3 nights in the Gobi.
◆ 121km, 4 stages
◆ Teams of 6 to 10
◆ Marked racecourse
◆ Full camp support with meals
◆ Top global business schools
121km over 4 days. Your pace, your journey.
◆ 121km, 4 stages
◆ Individual race, registered via institution
◆ Marked racecourse
◆ Full camp support with meals
◆ Open to all levels
One day on the ancient Silk Road.
◆ 17 or 30km
◆ 1-day hiking experience
◆ Marked course
◆ Suitable for all fitness levels
◆ Maximum cultural immersion
Dunhuang & Guazhou: Gateways to the Gobi
The two cities Dunhuang and Guazhou sit at the edge of the Gobi Desert in Gansu Province, about 2,000 kilometers west of Beijing. For centuries this region was a crossroads of cultures, ideas and commerce along the Silk Road. Today, it remains one of the world’s most compelling landscapes, where desert, oasis and ancient heritage converge into experiences few travellers get to explore.
As an Ultra Gobi destination, Dunhuang/Guazhou offers both natural wonder and deep historical resonance, an opportunity to move through places shaped by people and time.
A welcoming destination for international visitors
Dunhuang is a well-established international tourist center, fully prepared to welcome visitors from around the world. Guided tours and local services are available in multiple languages, and cashless payments through WeChat and Alipay are widely accepted. Friendly locals are always ready to help, and translation apps make communication simple when needed.
Once you arrive in Dunhuang for an Ultra Gobi Series event, our team will pick you up from the airport and make sure you have an unforgettable experience.
Destination Highlights
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Mogao Caves (UNESCO World Heritage Site)
The Mogao Caves are among Asia’s richest repositories of Buddhist art. Carved into the cliffside near Dunhuang, they contain hundreds of decorated caves filled with murals and statues dating from the 4th to the 14th century. These artworks reflect centuries of cultural exchange along the Silk Road, with influences from Central Asia, India and beyond
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Suoyang City: once vital outpost for caravans and Silk Road traders
Suoyang City in Guazhou served as a frontier military outpost and trading hub during the Tang Dynasty. Its walls stretch over 5 kilometers, enclosing ruins of administrative buildings, temples and residential areas. The city was known for its water management system, which turned desert into farmland, and for its role as a transit point where Persian and Arabian merchants traded with Chinese counterparts.
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Singing Sand Dunes & Crescent Lake
Just outside the city, the Mingsha (Singing Sand) Dunes rise like golden waves that shimmer in sunlight and hum with sound when the wind or sand shifts. At their base lies Crescent Lake, a natural oasis whose clear waters have endured amid the desert for centuries.
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Xuanquan Posthouse
The Xuanquan Posthouse, about 70 kilometers east of Dunhuang, served as a relay station along the Han Dynasty Silk Road. Merchants, envoys and travelers stopped here for rest and supplies. Archaeological excavations have uncovered thousands of bamboo slips and documents offering a window into life over 2,000 years ago: official decrees, trade records and personal correspondence.
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Night Market & Local Life
Explore local cuisine, handicrafts and the rhythms of daily life in Dunhuang's night market, a lively place to taste regional dishes and meet fellow travelers.
Origin of the Ultra Gobi Event in the Gobi Desert
The event was inspired by the journey of Master Xuanzang, a Buddhist scholar, translator, and traveler who traveled from China to India more than 1,300 years ago.
Master Xuanzang embarked on his legendary pilgrimage to India in 629CE, defying an imperial travel ban. His journey spanned 17 years, during which he traveled on foot through Central Asia, Afghanistan, Pakistan, and India, covering about 10,000 kilometers. Master Xuanzang described the area of the Ultra Gobi Series as a barren stretch of “800 li of quicksand” - a 400km lifeless expanse of desert where even the stars seemed to burn like devilish flames.
Practical Info
Nearest Airport
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Dunhuang Mogao International Airport (DNH). Our team picks you up upon arrival.
Where to stay
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Dunhuang city offers a wide range of hotels for all budgets. We recommend arriving at least one day before the event.
Currency
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Chinese Yuan (CNY). Cashless payments via WeChat Pay and Alipay are widely accepted, including for foreign travelers.
Temperatures during the event (October)
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Expect warm to hot days (20–30°C) and very cold nights (-5°C–0°C). Layering is essential.
Visa
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Citizens of 50 countries, including most EU member states, the UK, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, South Korea, Brazil, Canada and several Gulf states, can enter China visa-free for up to 30 days, which comfortably covers the duration of the event. This policy has been extended until December 31, 2026. All other nationalities require a Chinese tourist visa (L-visa), applied for in advance through a Chinese embassy or consulate. Check current requirements for your nationality at the Chinese embassy website or visaforchina.org.
