BEIJING, June 3, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The X Power 2025 Taklimakan Rally wrapped up with roaring success on June 1 in northwest China's Xinjiang.
Kicking off on May 20, the grueling 13-day event spanned Aksu, Hetian, and Kashi prefectures. This year's course covered a total of 5,183 kilometers, including 2,200 kilometers of timed special stages across deserts, Gobi plains, and river crossings. A total of 23 motorcycles and 105 vehicles participated, with 233 racers from 12 countries battling extreme heat and complex terrain.
Czech rider Martin Michek and China's Liu Yangui claimed overall victories in the motorcycle and car categories, respectively.
Michek clinched the motorcycle title with a total time of 28 hours, 31 minutes, and 4 seconds, leading a commanding performance by his team.
"This race was extremely tough, but I really enjoyed competing in China," said Michek, who participated in the rally for the first time.
Liu secured the car division crown with a time of 27 hours, 8 minutes, and 15 seconds.
"Winning the overall title was our only goal, and it's the greatest recognition we could receive," Liu said, expressing gratitude to his team and all support staff.
Known as "China's Dakar," the Taklimakan Rally is widely regarded as the country's most challenging cross-country rally. Since its inception in 2005, the event has continued to evolve. This year marked the debut of a New Energy Vehicle (NEV) category, with ten vehicles entering the T2.E class.
In this inaugural NEV category, Yao Weiqiang of the Great Wall Tank Hi4 Team took the title, finishing in 37 hours, 30 minutes, and 42 seconds.
The closing ceremony featured a spectacular drone performance and fireworks show, bringing celebration and relief after 13 intense days. Racers, mechanics, and support crews finally had a moment to breathe, reflect, and enjoy the joy of victory and achievement.
** The press release content is from PR Newswire. Bastille Post is not involved in its creation. **
CCTV+: 2025 Taklimakan Rally Concludes After thrilling 13-Day Desert Challenge
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All top five domestic destinations experienced positive growth in accommodation searches compared to previous year
SINGAPORE, Jan. 5, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Malaysian travelers are increasingly eyeing domestic destinations for December travel, reveals digital travel platform Agoda. The insight is based on accommodation searches made on the platform between September and November for stays during the holiday month 2025. The five most popular domestic destinations all recorded a higher number of searches compared to previous year, highlighting a growing interest for local trips during the year-end holiday period 2025.
Kuala Lumpur tops the list of domestic searches. Penang came in second, followed by Malacca, Kota Kinabalu, and Johor Bahru. All domestic destinations noted a double-digit increase in accommodation searches, with Kuala Lumpur noting the highest year-on-year increase with 18% more interest, indicating the strong appeal of trips close to home.
For Malaysian travelers looking abroad, Hat Yai, Bangkok, and Tokyo hold the top three ranks as most searched destinations, followed by Singapore and Phuket. The highest year-on-year increase in accommodation searches was noted by Krabi, Thailand (35%). South Korea's capital Seoul followed closely, with 33%.
Fabian Teja, Country Director Malaysia and Brunei at Agoda said, "The increasing enthusiasm among Malaysians for domestic travel is great to witness, considering the variety of incredible destinations right here at home. At the same time, the rising interest in destinations like Seoul and Krabi highlights the dynamic and diverse interest among Malaysian travelers. Whether they are planning a cozy getaway closer to home or getting ready for an exciting adventure abroad, Agoda is committed to offering great value deals to Malaysian travelers."
With over 130,000 flight routes, more than 6 million holiday properties, and over 300,000 activities, Agoda offers flexible options and deals to help travelers discover destinations that suit their plans and preferences. Discover the best deals on Agoda's mobile app and visit Agoda.com to plan the perfect year-end trips.
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All top five domestic destinations experienced positive growth in accommodation searches compared to previous year
SINGAPORE, Jan. 5, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Malaysian travelers are increasingly eyeing domestic destinations for December travel, reveals digital travel platform Agoda. The insight is based on accommodation searches made on the platform between September and November for stays during the holiday month 2025. The five most popular domestic destinations all recorded a higher number of searches compared to previous year, highlighting a growing interest for local trips during the year-end holiday period 2025.
Kuala Lumpur tops the list of domestic searches. Penang came in second, followed by Malacca, Kota Kinabalu, and Johor Bahru. All domestic destinations noted a double-digit increase in accommodation searches, with Kuala Lumpur noting the highest year-on-year increase with 18% more interest, indicating the strong appeal of trips close to home.
For Malaysian travelers looking abroad, Hat Yai, Bangkok, and Tokyo hold the top three ranks as most searched destinations, followed by Singapore and Phuket. The highest year-on-year increase in accommodation searches was noted by Krabi, Thailand (35%). South Korea's capital Seoul followed closely, with 33%.
Fabian Teja, Country Director Malaysia and Brunei at Agoda said, "The increasing enthusiasm among Malaysians for domestic travel is great to witness, considering the variety of incredible destinations right here at home. At the same time, the rising interest in destinations like Seoul and Krabi highlights the dynamic and diverse interest among Malaysian travelers. Whether they are planning a cozy getaway closer to home or getting ready for an exciting adventure abroad, Agoda is committed to offering great value deals to Malaysian travelers."
With over 130,000 flight routes, more than 6 million holiday properties, and over 300,000 activities, Agoda offers flexible options and deals to help travelers discover destinations that suit their plans and preferences. Discover the best deals on Agoda's mobile app and visit Agoda.com to plan the perfect year-end trips.
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** The press release content is from PR Newswire. Bastille Post is not involved in its creation. **
Agoda Reveals Growing Interest for Year-End Domestic Travel with Kuala Lumpur at the Forefront in 2025
