Travelers on the road, during the "Crossing Taklamakan Desert" event. [Photo:CRIENGLISH.com]

China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region is known for its diversified landscapes; its beautiful prairies, the Gobi desert, lush forests and snow-capped mountains. However, besides embracing regular sightseeing tourists, the region has begun to draw in groups of travelers who come to test their physical limits in Xinjiang's natural environment.

During this year's National Day holiday period, the tourism bureau of Xinjiang hosted the second Exceptional Tourism Festival in conjunction with the China Youth Travel Service. The event featured the major activity "Crossing Taklamakan Desert". The event invited sports fans and tourists to join a six-day drive across Xinjiang's many scenic areas.

Over 2000 participants, the youngest only two years old, took part in the crossing. By the end of the National Day holiday period, Xinjiang had received about 2,834,800 tourists; a 30.4 percent increase compared with last year.

According to the tourism bureau, the Exceptional Tourism Festival will become the center of promotional activities for the region. It will be marketed as another brand of tourism for the autonomous region in addition to its reputation as an international sightseeing destination.