Walk into Kekexili

Author: Li Jingsheng (Photography), Li Jingsheng (Narration), Chen Xuxia (Editing)
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2005-01-01
Features: Kekexili, as an important reserve for Tibetan antelope, holds a mystery and danger that are hard for ordinary people to imagine. As director Lu Chuan of the film Kekexili said, "Kekexili is both paradise and hell, and a sacred site witnessing life and faith. Because the story of Kekexili is hard to tell, only those who have truly walked there can understand." To help readers learn more about the mysterious Kekexili, Ms. Chen Xuxia conducted exclusive interviews with volunteer Li Jingsheng. Through his narration, the mysterious veil of Kekexili is gradually unveiled.
"Kekexili" in Mongolian means "beautiful girl," one of the main source areas of the Yangtze River. Located in the northwest of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, the Kekexili Desert is the third-largest and largest desert in China, as well as the last piece of land retaining its original natural state. It is surrounded by no barriers, with high and rugged terrain, an average elevation exceeding 5,000 meters. The climate is harsh, with frequent strong winds, with the strongest wind speeds reaching 20–28 meters per second. The average annual temperature is below -4°C, with the lowest temperatures dropping to over -40°C. Due to the thin air and low atmospheric pressure, oxygen levels are only half that of low-altitude areas, and the boiling point of water is only around 80°C.
Despite the harsh climate, Kekexili is a paradise for wildlife. The unique animals of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, such as wild yaks, Tibetan antelope, wild donkeys, white-lipped deer, and brown bears, make this "beautiful girl" even more enchanting. As one of the largest deserts in China, the area is less disturbed by human activities, with most regions still maintaining their original natural state. Statistics show that Kekexili is currently one of China's most biodiverse regions, home to over 230 species of wildlife, including more than 20 species listed as nationally protected first-class or second-class animals.
In April 2002, the National Forestry Department and the Administration of the Kekexili National Nature Reserve held a press conference in Beijing, recruiting volunteers to visit Kekexili. Li Jingsheng, a photographer and general manager of the Qinzhou Cement Co., Ltd. in Qinzhou, Guangxi, participated as a volunteer in the fifth batch of activities in 2002. He returned with a sense of fulfillment, carrying the memories of his dreamlike connection to Kekexili. During his 30-day journey in Kekexili, he endured life-and-death trials and tribulations, documenting the arduous yet unforgettable "environmental expedition" with nearly a thousand photographs and a diary. His Kekexili expedition earned him the title of "Environmental Hero," but in his heart, he had already embarked on a spiritual journey as a "permanent volunteer for Kekexili."
To help readers learn more about the mysterious Kekexili, Ms. Chen Xuxia conducted exclusive interviews with the "Environmental Hero" Li Jingsheng. Through his narration, the mysterious veil of Kekexili is gradually unveiled.