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The host city for the Gobi March (China) 2008 will be Kashgar or 'Kashi'. Kashgar is in the extreme West of China, the Southwest extreme of Xinjiang, at a junction between two branches of the old Silk Road.

The Gobi March (China) 2008 will take place in Kizilsu Kirghiz Autonomous Prefecture in Xinjiang Province, China, in an area currently closed to foreigners -- special permits will be issued to official competitors in the Gobi March 2008. This year's starting field contains roughly 180 individuals from 26 countries.

Kizilsu Kirghiz Autonomous Prefecture, the location of the Gobi March (China) 2008, is located in the western part of Xinjiang Province and in the northern part of Kashgar. It is situated south of the Tianshan mountains, in the northwest part of the Tarim Basin. The economy is primarily agriculture with the agricultural products being mainly cotton, grapes, and sheep. The word "Kizilsu" means "red water" in the Kyrgyz language. It is an autonomous prefecture of the People's Republic of China. It is mostly occupied by the Kirghiz minority, and borders the country of Kyrgyzstan.

The course will cover roughly 250 kilometers -- six stages over seven days. Gobi March competitors can expect a diverse landscape including: slot canyons, salt flats, rivers, mountain ridges, rocky terrain and sand dunes. Competitors will witness local nomadic Uygur, Kazak and Mongolian tribes living as they have for thousands of years.
The course is abundant in wildlife such as rare horses, camels, eagles and even gazelle. The altitude is expected to reach almost 10,000 feet (3000 meters). The course may be modified daily depending on expected waters levels of the rivers or poor weather conditions. Competitors should also be prepared for violent sand storms and strong winds that are prone to hit during April and May. Dust and/or sand may prevent or severely limit visibility also requiring adjustments to the course.

The daily stage names and distances are as follows:

Stage 1: Canyons, Camels and Gobi (40 kilometers)
Stage 2: Mars in the Gobi (42 kilometers)
Stage 3: The Farmlands of Langerville (45 kilometers)
Stage 4: Fast Track to Heaven (40 kilometers)
Stage 5: The Long March (80 kilometers)
Stage 6: The Final Steps to the Tomb of Kashgary (10 kilometers)

Note: The distances above are approximates and will likely change depending on snow in the Tian Shan Mountains and other weather conditions which may cause rivers to flood or rise to impassable levels.

The map above is an outline of the expected course which starts around Gazi, Xinjiang Province, China and ends in Upal, Xinjiang Province, China.
Adapted from http://www.4deserts.com/gobimarch