The 2016 North Asia Gobi Rally, featuring stages in two different countries, is to begin in Darhan Muminggan Joint Banner of the Inner Mongolia autonomous region on Aug 11. It is hoped the auto rally will help highlight the region's image as a tourist attraction for sports and culture, Baotou Daily reported on Aug 4.

The five-stage, nine-day rally will start from Darhan Muminggan Joint Banner, bordering Mongolia, pass the inland port at Mandula to enter Mongolia and return to Inner Mongolia. Competitors will cover a 1600 km journey through China and Mongolia.

This year's auto rally comes at a time when the Fourth China Nomadic Culture and Tourism Festival is being held, and the rally is expected to boost cultural tourism in Darhan Muminggan Joint Banner.

The rally will be jointly hosted by the People's Government of Darhan Muminggan Joint Banner, the Mongolian Auto and Motorcycle League and FBLife Interactive.

File photo shows the competing scene of China-Mongolia auto rally in previous years. [Photo/Baotou Daily]