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Cross-industry collaboration: Skyroad joins forces with Beijing Automotive and Mafengwo to pioneer a new ecosystem for self-drive travel.

Release date:

2024-09-20

Cross-industry collaboration: Skyroad joins forces with Beijing Automotive and Mafengwo to pioneer a new ecosystem for self-drive travel.

In September, Sikelai brand founder Zeng Hua collaborated with Beijing Automotive, Mafengwo, and Gansu’s cultural and tourism authorities to participate in the fourth “Mafengwo Silk Road: Self-Drive Gansu” event. The initiative seamlessly integrated the “curator” concept with a “new ecosystem,” blending hiking adventures with self-drive experiences, and encouraged self-drive enthusiasts to venture out boldly and fully appreciate Gansu’s multifaceted charm. On this occasion, Beijing Automotive also unveiled four carefully curated, distinctive routes, sparking travelers’ keen interest in self-drive tours of Gansu and igniting a wave of enthusiasm for exploring the west. A new wave of self-drive travel in the north.

Skylo is committed to popularizing, promoting, and elevating the outdoor lifestyle, fostering the deep integration of hiking culture with outdoor trends and cultural‑tourism‑based living. We offer outdoor functional gear that combines professionalism, comfort, and style, providing advanced equipment solutions for outdoor enthusiasts seeking moderate challenges and more sophisticated experiences, and accompanying users on their journey of outdoor growth. This collaboration with Mafengwo and Beijing Automotive to pioneer a new self‑drive travel ecosystem aims to deliver even richer, more advanced experiences to outdoor enthusiasts.

This tripartite collaboration not only embodies the theme “Embrace the Outdoors, Enjoy Nature,” but also marks a tangible manifestation of Skyroad Outdoor’s shared passion for the outdoors with Mafengwo and Beijing Auto. Mafengwo, deeply attuned to the aspirations of young travelers, has long championed a spirit of “facing the unknown head-on,” evolving its offerings from travel content to an upgraded guide‑making ecosystem—moving from “exploring the unknown” to the “Host‑Driven Initiative”—and setting the trend for today’s youth. Meanwhile, Beijing Auto, with its user‑centric approach, continues to drive the future through innovation, building a thriving user community via the “Beijing® Circle of Friends” and striving to deliver premium mobility experiences. And Skyroad, which has been dedicated to the outdoor lifestyle for 21 years, has drawn and cultivated a vast community of hikers, leading the way in integrating hiking culture with outdoor trends and the broader cultural‑tourism landscape.

“Self-Drive + Hiking”: The Stunning Danxia Su Mu Gou—Experience a Different Kind of Scenery

What does a new‑style self‑drive adventure look like? When Mafengwo’s “Host Program” joins forces with Beijing Auto’s “Off‑road Self‑Drive Circle,” complemented by Skyland’s meticulously crafted hiking itinerary, you’ll be treated to a tangible travel experience: embarking on a self‑drive journey into Sumugou to uncover the echoes of time.

In the mountains and wilderness surrounding Lanzhou, Sumugou Grand Canyon boasts a rare Danxia landform unique to western China. Yet, owing to its undeveloped state and challenging road conditions, it remains largely unexplored—making this hidden geological wonder an emerging niche destination for young travelers and a true paradise for off-road enthusiasts. Departing from Lanzhou, a drive with a Beijing-brand vehicle to Sumugou takes about 1.5 hours. After navigating eighteen hairpin bends on mountain roads, the final stretch into the canyon is a dirt track with poor conditions; some sections feature steep gradients and are prone to slipping. Fortunately, Beijing’s BJ-series SUVs are robust and capable, handling these demanding terrains with ease. Amid a comfortable ride, drivers can fully savor the boundless thrill of off-roading. Meanwhile, thanks to their ample storage space, they can easily accommodate… The vehicle is equipped with ample hiking, resupply, and camping gear, ensuring a well‑planned, worry‑free road trip.

Led by a professional guide from Skywalk, embark on this 5.7-kilometer hiking journey. As you wind along the river through Red Stone Canyon, it feels as though you’ve stepped onto an alien world. Before your eyes lie yardang landforms sculpted by millennia of wind and sand, and from the vantage point atop the heights, you can gaze out over the boundless Gobi Desert. With a bit of luck, you might even spot herds of blue sheep clinging to the sheer cliffs. This highlight hike takes about 2.5 hours and features 10 breathtaking photo spots, offering stunning views of the pristine Danxia canyon landscape.

Once you’ve finished your hike, simply pull the pop‑up canopy tent and portable table and chairs out of the trunk, set up camp for a well‑deserved rest, sip a cup of pour‑over coffee, enjoy a cozy tea‑by‑the‑fire session, and share your travel stories with fellow adventurers—or catch up on life’s latest happenings—turning the great outdoors into a way of life. The way life should be—turns out, everyone can make it happen.

A new “Self-Drive Plus” experience: Skyroad is breaking boundaries to invite more outdoor enthusiasts to enjoy the great outdoors together.

Viewing self-drive exploration as a way of life and transforming immersive experiences into a mindset for travel—this is precisely why Skyroad, Mafengwo, and Beijing Automotive hit it off so quickly. According to Ms. Zeng Hua, founder of the Skyroad brand, in recent years, as enthusiasm for outdoor activities has surged, people have increasingly embraced more “plus‑ecosystem” approaches to engaging with the outdoors. Self‑driving, outdoor adventures, and hiking are no longer separate experiences; instead, they have evolved into deeply integrated, all‑encompassing journeys. Skyroad hopes that by breaking traditional boundaries and offering innovative ways to play, it can bring fresh, elevated outdoor experiences to even more users.

As we enter a new era of self‑drive travel, road trips are no longer just about the journey itself—they’ve become a fresh way to experience life. After marveling at the cave art of Dunhuang’s Mogao Caves, you can even create your own clay panel depicting flying apsaras to take home; after being enchanted by the otherworldly beauty of Zha’na, you can join the villagers in the mountains to pick wild mushrooms and cook a meal; and as you stroll through the ancient relics of Tianshui’s old town, you can savor the fiery mala tang served at a humble local eatery. When travel transforms into a way of life, it stops being mere trend‑following check‑ins or selfie‑centric snapshots. Instead, it becomes an opportunity to draw on the wisdom of those who came before, to engage in a dialogue with time‑worn spirits, to immerse yourself in the rhythms of local life, and to emerge with a stronger inner core and a richer, more vibrant existence.

According to reports, the three‑stop event series that spanned the entire summer has seamlessly integrated the “host‑plus‑new ecosystem” model. Beijing Auto has also cultivated a robust off‑road ecosystem, within which it offers expert self‑drive route guides and comprehensive vehicle‑service support, ensuring a convenient, safe, and comfortable road trip. In addition, a range of new models—designed to cater to off‑road enthusiasts at varying skill levels—can handle a wide array of challenging terrains, empowering travelers to explore hidden gems and lesser‑known destinations at their own pace.