Yang himself has been riding for about 15 years, traveling to various parts of the country for outdoor horseback activities, but he ranks the summer survey as one of his top equestrian experiences.

"Riding out like this for three days can be tiring for the uninitiated, but once you feel the beauty of nature－the rush of whitewater rivers, deep emerald forests, wide open grassland, awe-inspiring mountain ranges and bracing clear air, any exhaustion, any fatigue, just fades away. That is the salving, therapeutic effect of horse-riding in this beautiful wilderness."

Wutzala, head of the China Horse Culture, Sports and Tourism Institute, which is under the Art Development Center of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, said the latest "Golden Horse Trail" project builds on a decade of horseback riding programs and packages in the Kanas scenic area, acclaimed by many visitors as the "Chinese alps" with its breathtaking scenery forming a treasure trove of outdoor travel experiences.