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To challenge human extremities and support Beijing's Olympic bid,
a team of explorers from China's northwest is actively preparing
for crossing the world fourth, China second large desert ---Badain
Jaran.
Located in western Inner Mongolia the Desert covers part of Inner
Mongolia, Gansu and Ningxia, totaling 47,000 sq.km. It is the world
only desert known for its clusters of huge sand hills and dunes,
hence known as a "Desert Qomolangma" and a "sea of
death".
As a site on the World Heritage List, the Desert has attracted
many scholars and explorers worldwide, but nobody has so far succeeded
in crossing it.
Last December, the Sports Committee of Jinchang City of Gansu,
after months of on-the-spot exploration and training, brought out
a feasible study report, saying that the sand hills can be conquered
with the desert to be crossed. So an attempt is thus scheduled for
this March with the starting point set at the southern border.
Equipped with 4 motorcycles and 4 jeeps the attempt is reported
to begin at 10 am March 17, by 5 Jinchang drivers and 3 local herdsmen
as both guides and drivers.
It will take 8 to 10 days to cover a distance of 800 to 1000 km,
expert predicts. If successful, the attempt will be recognized by
Guinness Book of World Records as human's first crossing of Badain
Jaran Desert by means of motorcycles and jeeps.
(People's Daily 03/14/01)
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