Located in the hinterland of the Eurasian continent, Xinjiang is the farthest place from the sea in the world. Its arid climate results in over 40% of the region being covered by deserts and gobies, creating a landscape characterized by vast stretches of yellow sand and dunes. Among these, the Dahaitao region stands out as the most awe-inspiring and mysterious desert landscape.
Where is Dahaitao? Situated within Hami, Xinjiang, Dahaitao is the only uninhabited area in China that can be legally traversed. It borders Lop Nur and stretches 500 kilometers east to west, featuring the most mature, diverse, and scenic Yadan landforms in China and even the world. A thousand years ago, it served as the Silk Road connecting China and the West. Today, it is a sacred site and paradise for off-road adventures. On October 13, the first leg of 's Xinjiang Traverse Journey led to Dahaitao, kicking off an exploration of the Silk Road.
Dahaitao is located in the Gasun Gobi, known as the 'Eight Hundred Li Expanse of Sand and Gobi.' This is the most concentrated and topographically complex Gobi region in eastern Xinjiang, home to unique and eerie wonders such as post stations, beacon towers, fossil mountains, and ancient human settlement sites. The Dahaitao area is constantly swept by gale-force winds throughout the year, with barren ground and undulating dunes. Known as the Devil's City for its weathered landscapes and Gobi with flying sand and stones, it offers both the vastness of infinite horizons and the mystery of directionless wanderings. The convoy traversed this terrain, blending with the rock formations of various shapes and deep gullies, capturing scenes filled with wild passion and natural vitality.
The surface of Dahaitao is mainly Gobi, with a road surface covered with gravel and uneven terrain. Driving for extended periods is a significant test for both the suspension system and tires, challenging both the vehicle and the driver. The of the BOLDEN PICKUP is equipped with four nitrogen shock absorbers with adjustable damping of 8 levels, greatly reducing the bumpiness during driving. The modified models are fitted with large-size MT tires, easily handling prolonged poor road conditions. Even the factory-standard vehicles with AT tires performed well, with no tire bursts occurring.
Long stretches of bumpy roads also pose a significant test to the vehicle's reliability. The BOLDEN PICKUP adopts a non-load-bearing body structure, with high-strength materials accounting for over 45% of the body. The vehicle's torsional stiffness reaches 32,000N·m/deg, providing stronger impact and deformation resistance. It is equipped with a 235mm adjustable rear multi-link suspension, capable of adapting to various bumpy roads. The chassis armor effectively prevents damage to components from bouncing stones. Therefore, during the two-day traverse of Dahaitao, no vehicle malfunctions occurred.
On sandy slopes and rocky paths requiring off-road climbing, the BOLDEN PICKUP, with a ground clearance of 230mm, an approach angle of 30°, and a departure angle of 26°, demonstrated excellent passing performance. It is powered by Weichai's WP2H 2.0T diesel engine with a maximum power of 190 horsepower, providing strong and sustained power output, making it easy for the vehicle to climb slopes and negotiate obstacles.
Moreover, the BorgWarner part-time four-wheel drive system, three differential locks (front, center, and rear), creep mode, seven driving modes (standard, eco, sport, sand, mud, snow, and rock), and front and rear metal bumpers further enhance the vehicle's capabilities, allowing it to traverse various terrains without hesitation and to roam freely in the desert and Gobi. Besides the impressive performance of the off-road pickup and its modified models, the passenger pickup in the convoy also demonstrated remarkable off-road capabilities with its outstanding power performance and four-wheel drive system, successfully traversing Dahaitao.
In the Dahaitao uninhabited area, while the desert and Gobi provide a visual spectacle, they also bring sandstorms and flying dust. Therefore, in addition to reliability, powerful performance, and off-road capabilities, vehicles must also withstand tests of their sealing performance. The BOLDEN PICKUP adopts passenger car-grade sealing, with a vehicle gas leakage rate ≤50SCFM, effectively blocking sand particles from entering the cabin in the desert and withstanding wind and sand intrusions.
The first challenge of 's Xinjiang Traverse Journey—traversing Dahaitao—has been successfully completed. In the following itinerary, the BOLDEN PICKUP will head to iconic Xinjiang locations such as the Kumtag Desert, Flaming Mountains, Bosten Lake, and Bayanbulak to enjoy the beautiful autumn scenery of Xinjiang and face more severe challenges. With its ability to control and conquer all terrains, it demonstrates the brand style of an international full-terrain large pickup.