Participants pose at the finish line of the 2014 Pilgrimage Journey of Xuanzang International Business College Gobi Challenge. Photo: Courtesy of Zheng Wei

The Pilgrimage Journey of Xuanzang International Business College Gobi Challenge organized by Beijing Xingzhi Explore Culture Communication (BXECC) was held on May 25. Starting at Ta'er Lamasery in Guazhou, Gansu Province, the 112-kilometer pilgrimage involved more than 1,500 participants from 31 top Chinese business schools who retraced some of the steps taken by Xuanzang (602-664), a monk and scholar who inspired the namesake character in classic Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) novel Journey to the West.

Qu Xiangdong, chief organizer of the event, said the spirit of the day was embraced by competitors. "We have idealism, action and persistence that all contribute to our ultimate goal of transcendence. On this journey, your biggest rival is yourself. Believe in your heart, overcome your fears and surpass the extraordinary to reach a new realm of life," Qu said.

The pilgrimage also served as a communication platform for Chinese business schools. Participants in this year's competition were mostly Executive Master of Business Administration students.

The event, held for its eighth year, is a cultural activity organized by BXECC, China Central Television and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. In China, stories of Xuanzang's journey to India are cherished by people of all ages. Over the past 1,300 years, the pilgrimage has inspired novels and plays that have entertained generation after generation.

In May 2006, the first Pilgrimage Journey of Xuanzang International Business College Gobi Challenge was held. Since then, it has grown bigger and attracted increasing participation from elites in China's business and education circles.

On the first day of this year's pilgrimage, Peking University's Guanghua School of Management (GSM) captured the spotlight with its eight mentally disabled competitors. Taking them to the Gobi Desert was part of the Pilgrimage Journey of Xuanzang Happy Gobi Plan organized by both the GSM and Gobi Foundation, a charitable organization. Competitors raised funds for a project that supports employment for mentally disabled people.

Project sponsor Li Junfeng said the day yielded a personal breakthrough for one special boy. "I walked 20 kilometers that day with a mentally disabled boy who I've known for more than a year. He had never said a word to me previously, but that day he smiled and told me, 'Change is the greatest joy for us,'" Li said.

GSM student Li Wei said the challenge had lived up to its reputation and allowed him to take an introspective journey of self-reflection.

"I spent nights over the four-day trek looking after the eight mentally disabled children. I was so happy and confident, but also deeply moved to receive gifts from them," Li Wei said. "The boundless beauty of the Gobi Desert gave me the opportunity to revere nature and worship my predecessors. I hope that I, along with other GSM students, can repay the Gobi Desert and society."