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China’s International Camping Festival

Hundreds of colorful tents are scattered across a grassy hill and along a ridge, as groups gather under a clear sky, capturing the vibrant spirit of China's International Camping Festival set against majestic mountains.

It’s possibly the most interesting camping trip in the world. For the fifth consecutive year, more than 15,000 campers from around the world flocked to China’s Mount Wugongshan of Pingxiang, Jiangxi Provence for the International Camping Festival. Regarded as one of the most beautiful mountain landscapes in all of China, it is said all four seasons can be viewed from this one vista.

Spring flowers bloom before a backdrop of fall colors with snowcapped peaks in the distance. All of this amidst a colorful sea of nylon with thousands of tents dotting the hillsides. Organized by the Wugong Mountain Scenic Area Management Committee to encourage more people to enjoy the outdoors, this tranquil event has an unusual calmness for such a massive gathering.

A group of hikers with backpacks walk up a grassy hill, with hundreds of colorful tents from China's International Camping Festival scattered across the hillside in the background under soft sunlight.

Colorful tents are scattered across grassy hills at sunset during China's International Camping Festival, with misty mountains in the background. Tall grass is visible in the foreground, under a sky that fades from pale yellow to light blue.

Photos Courtesy of Reuters

Christophe Noel is a journalist from Prescott, Arizona. Born into a family of backcountry enthusiasts, Christophe grew up backpacking the mountains and deserts of the American West. An avid cyclist and bikepacker, he also has a passion for motorcycles, travel, food and overlanding.