Yushu City of Qinghai Province has won the bid to host the 2016 "World Cup of Drifting" after the World Drifting Association and the extreme sports division of the China General Administration of Sports successfully completed their inspection, chinanews.com reported.

Yushu is inside the natural preservation zone of where the three rivers (Yangtze River, Yellow River and Lancang River) originate. The region, with an average altitude of 4,493 meters, is rich with water resources.

Ever since the solo drifting expedition on Yangtze River by Yao Maoshu in 1985, the Yushu river region has become a popular challenge site for drifting enthusiasts. In 2015, Yushu hosted the Yangtze River Yushu Extreme Drifting Challenge.

Phurbu Gyatso, deputy mayor of Yushu City, said that since 2014, Yushu has promoted the sport of drifting and applied to host international drifting competitions. So far, they have invited senior drifting experts to conduct researches, formed the Yushu Drifting Association, and established the Yushu Drifting Company. The water sports division of the China General Administration of Sports has formally approved Yushu as a national-level drifting site.

The 2016 "World Cup of Drifting" (a second-level national competition) will be the highest-level sports competition ever hosted in Yushu. It will take place from July 15 through 22.

Phurbu Gyatso said this "World Cup of Drifting" will not only make the world get to know Yushu, but also play a significant role in promoting development of local tourism, culture and sports.

The event is a great opportunity to show the new Yushu to the world, a city that is “Grateful, Motivated, Confident, and Open.”