Pure white snow blankets the undulating mountain peaks. Across 2,400 square kilometers of snow-capped mountains and glaciers, the Yangtze, Yellow, and Lancang Rivers—three rivers that have nurtured Chinese civilization—begin their journey from this pristine icy plateau.
This is Sanjiangyuan, China’s first true national park and one of the last untouched natural lands. On this plateau, larger than the entire United Kingdom, generations of herders have quietly carried out a centuries-long mission of preservation.
At 4:30 a.m., before the highland stars fade, herder Leng Congtu Ge in the heart of the Lancang River’s source has already rolled his tsampa into dough. Draped in a heavy Tibetan robe, he opens his wooden door to the wind carrying the scent of grasslands. For him, guarding this 4,600-meter-altitude pasture is not just a livelihood—it is a matter of faith.
From “Inheritance” to “Borrowing”: Centuries of Ecological Wisdom
“The grassland is not inherited from our ancestors; it is borrowed from our children.”
This simple saying by Leng Congtu perfectly aligns with modern sustainable development principles. Herders follow ancient seasonal grazing wisdom: in spring, they move to sunny slopes; in summer, to alpine meadows; in autumn and winter, lower grounds to allow pastures to rest. They know which plants feed Tibetan antelope, which areas are breeding grounds for snow leopards, and they consciously avoid these “life zones.”
At URNIETA, true off-road spirit is not about conquering nature, but respecting this deep-rooted reverence for the land. Our LC250, LC300, and LC70 rugged vehicles are designed not to dominate, but to reach remote corners with humility—places that need to be seen and protected.
1376 Convoy: Delivering “Warmth” in Blizzard Conditions
In 2018, the 1376 convoy launched the “Warm Sanjiangyuan – Extreme Public Welfare Journey.” This was far more than a road trip—it was a mission in harsh conditions.
Difficult Beginnings: The first event responded to a snow disaster in Sanjiangyuan. Facing blizzards and treacherous roads, the convoy sometimes traveled only 10 kilometers a day, repairing vehicles along the way, just to deliver urgently needed supplies and medicines to every household.
Emotional Bonds: Now in its fifth year, herders eagerly anticipate the convoy during the coldest season: “Have the big-wheel off-road friends arrived yet?” What they look forward to is not just material aid, but the companionship of gathering around the fire and sharing warmth in the winter.
Public Welfare as a Two-Way Flow: Handshakes Between Technology and Wisdom
With increasing national and societal attention, the charity now emphasizes emotional support and cultural exchange.
Light and Color: Team members bring projectors and domestic animated films so children in the remote pasture can enjoy a colorful world during winter vacation. They also bring paints and drawing paper to stimulate creativity.
Redefining Aid: Public welfare becomes a two-way flow. Cities contribute technology and management experience, while the plateau shares ecological wisdom and life philosophy.
URNIETA: Honoring Every Departure
Rivers know that every distant journey begins with a small gathering, and every vast flow comes from unceasing movement. On the roof of the world, herders measure the land with their footsteps and protect water with their lives.
Every expedition of the 1376 convoy, and the meticulous crafting of URNIETA’s extreme off-road vehicles, aims to witness and participate in this silent, profound guardianship.
We believe that off-road vehicles are not merely tools for conquering the wild—they are a bridge connecting urban life with untouched nature, and modernity with tradition. They carry our respect for nature and deepen our understanding of what it means to “help”: not to rescue, but to accompany; not to give answers, but to seek solutions together.
The so-called source of a river is merely a constantly renewing beginning in an eternal flow.
