Cold Wave Forces Sudden End to China's Viral Survival Contest

A breakout reality hit that pulled in more than 18 billion online views came to an abrupt end when a powerful cold wave swept into Zhangjiajie's Qixing Mountain.

All eight remaining contestants of the "Qixing Mountain · Camel Cup" wilderness survival challenge were named champions and will split the 480,000-yuan (US$68,030) prize pool, officials said on Friday at a press briefing.

Officials said the decision followed forecasts of strong winds, rain, snow, and a sharp temperature drop. "The safety of contestants and the protection of the mountain environment always come first," said Tian Jianbing, the event's manager, in an interview with Jiupai News.

In addition to cash, all eight finalists will also receive lifetime admission for themselves and their families to Qixing Mountain and more than 300 scenic sites across Zhangjiajie.

They are also guaranteed entry to future seasons of the jungle challenge and will undergo comprehensive medical checkups fully covered by the scenic area. Qixing Mountain announced an annual 200,000-yuan ecological restoration fund as well.

The challenge began in October. Although promoted as a raw survival test, it unfolded inside fenced-off sections of a newly developed tourist zone with access roads and hotels – though the designated terrain remained steep and food became increasingly scarce.

The event has drawn enormous public attention, generating 18.2 billion online views, over 600,000 related posts, and nearly 10,000 pieces of user-generated content, according to data released by local authorities. Visitor numbers to the Qixing Mountain Scenic Area rose 297 percent year-on-year.

Several contestants became breakout personalities.

Among the most popular was 25-year-old Lin Bei, whose real name is Zhang Bolin, the youngest participant and a pharmacy graduate from Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine. He gained fame for his nimble tree-climbing skills, monkey-like sounds, and unexpectedly poetic reflections on nature, home, and love. Zhang withdrew voluntarily on December 3.

"I've seen many beautiful things here," Zhang told Hunan Daily. "But now I miss my family too much."

Before leaving, he picked up a small stone from the ridge. "I want to take it home as proof that I came, I saw, I felt."

Another widely followed contestant was "Cold Beauty" whose real name is Zhang Chaoqin. She was the longest-lasting female participant. Early in the season she impressed viewers as the first woman to start a fire using traditional drilling methods. Entering with full makeup, she gradually transformed as weeks passed, surviving on wild greens and fruit until her cheeks hollowed and lips cracked.

On November 14, the 37th day, she collapsed and was hospitalized with severe malnutrition. Her weight had dropped from 52.5 kg to 42 kg, according to The Cover. Her Douyin following surged from 15,000 before the challenge to over 335,000. A livestream showing barbers spending hours untangling her severely matted hair after more than a month in the wild drew over 100,000 viewers.

A third standout was "Miao King" Wu Gaoshu from Guizhou's Qiandongnan region, viewed by many as a top contender. Raised in Wupo Village, he grew up foraging and later spent long periods alone tending livestock – skills that gave him a natural edge. Competing for a second time, he said he hoped to use the prize money for his daughter's eye treatment, to repay debts, and to support his family.

During the competition Wu often dreamed of food from home – rice noodles, sour soup fish, beef bile hot pot, and especially his mother's oil-tea chicken, he told Jimu News.

Interest continued to surge as Season Two neared its finale. Organizers opened three days of on-site registration for Season Three in late November, drawing applicants from across the country.

The new season's prize pool has been raised to 500,000 yuan. Hundreds queued for a chance to sign up. One 37-year-old woman surnamed Chang traveled more than 50 hours from Heilongjiang and had practiced fire-drilling and identifying edible wild plants. Failing to be selected on the first day, she simply said, "Then I'll treat it as a trip."