URUMQI, China, May 20 (Xinhua) -- The 2025 Taklimakan Rally roared to life on Tuesday in Aksu Prefecture, northwestern China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region.

This year's Taklimakan Rally features 23 motorcycles and 105 vehicles, with racers set to tackle extreme heat and complex topography over approximately 5,200 kilometers, including 2,350 kilometers of timed special stages across deserts and Gobi plains, before concluding on June 1 in Makit County.

Driver Sun Xiangyan (Top R) and co-driver Ma Xin (Top L) of China pose for photos with the crew during the starting ceremony of the 2025 Taklimakan Rally in Aksu, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, May 20, 2025. (Xinhua/Hu Xingyu)

Rider Zhakeer Yakefu of China competes during during the qualifying race of the 2025 Taklimakan Rally in Aksu, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, May 20, 2025. (Xinhua/Hu Huhu)

Driver Zhao Wei and co-driver Yuan Bin of China compete during the qualifying race of the 2025 Taklimakan Rally in Aksu, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, May 20, 2025. (Xinhua/Hu Huhu)

Driver Tao Yongming and co-driver Shen Xin of China compete during the qualifying race of the 2025 Taklimakan Rally in Aksu, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, May 20, 2025. (Xinhua/Hu Huhu)

Artists perform during the opening ceremony of the 2025 Taklimakan Rally in Aksu, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, May 20, 2025. (Xinhua/Hu Xingyu)

Rider Martin Michek (Front R) of the Czech Republic reacts before the starting ceremony of the 2025 Taklimakan Rally in Aksu, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, May 20, 2025. (Xinhua/Hu Xingyu)

Driver Wu Jing (C) of China reacts before the starting ceremony of the 2025 Taklimakan Rally in Aksu, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, May 20, 2025. (Xinhua/Hu Xingyu)

Riders Abasi Jiapaer (R) and Aizihaier Jiapaer of China set off during the starting ceremony of the 2025 Taklimakan Rally in Aksu, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, May 20, 2025. (Xinhua/Hu Xingyu)

Riders Martin Michek (Front R) of the Czech Republic and Arunas Gelazninkas (Front L) of Lithuania react before the starting ceremony of the 2025 Taklimakan Rally in Aksu, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, May 20, 2025. (Xinhua/Hu Xingyu)

Driver Song Kun and co-driver Fu Xinming of China set off during the starting ceremony of the 2025 Taklimakan Rally in Aksu, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, May 20, 2025. (Xinhua/Hu Xingyu)