The Zhangjiajie extreme wilderness survival challenge kicks off at the Qixing Mountain scenic area camping base in Zhangjiajie, Central China's Hunan Province on October 8, 2025. Photo: VCG

After 41 grueling days in the wild, the 14 remaining competitors in a wilderness survival challenge in Qixing Mountain, or Seven Star Mountain, in Zhangjiajie, Central China's Hunan Province, have all advanced to the final—and are now enjoying hot chicken soup and villa accommodations during a surprise rest period, according to multiple media reports.

Organizers announced the change on the even on Tuesday, local media outlet Jimu News reported. Due to a sudden temperature drop and icy mountain conditions, the planned elimination of four contestants was canceled. 

According to the report, Tian Jianbing, general manager of the Qixing Mountain scenic area, said Tuesday that these players are true warriors, and also praised their "unyielding spirit and courage in the face of hardship."

The extreme competition, hailed as one of China's toughest survival contests, requires participants to live in primitive conditions. But safety took priority as temperatures plunged to 0°C on Tuesday. Contestant Lin Bei reported a bitterly cold night, prompting organizers to call an early end to the wilderness phase.

In an uplifting turn, all 14 were not only granted access to the final—which now offers a 200,000-yuan ($27,560) top prize—but also received 20,000 yuan each as a "warm-weather bonus." On Tuesday afternoon, they were treated to their first warm meal in weeks, including nourishing chicken soup, before settling into individual villas to recuperate.

The final will be held in five days in a warmer valley location. As competition founder Long Wu humorously explained: "The contestants were too tough—so we decided to surrender." The decision ensures both fairness and care, proving that even the hardcore world of survival sports can have a human touch, Guangming Daily reported Tuesday.

Guangming Daily