54 years ago, 13 Mongolian cyclists made a  3000 km round trip between Ulaanbaatar and Beijing. On 28 March the Physical Culture and Sports Authority announced that the bicycle tour will be re-launched later in the year.The Chinese company ‘Grand China’ has pledged to sponsor the bicycle tour.

Back in 1964, the first Mongolian cyclists started their tour on a cold 15 January  from the Sukhbaatar Square and were warmly welcomed by Chinese party and government leaders when they reached Tiananmen Square. After that first grueling winter journey, Mongolia received non-refundable assistance from Chinese Government and constructed a Central Sports Complex. Subsequently relations became bumpy and ‘cycle cooperation’ ceased.

It is expected that the new cycle tour between UB and Beijing will restart in August.