By Vivian Ji

HAIDONG, China, July 13 (Xinhua) -- The 18th Tour of Qinghai Lake cycling race started in Haidong City, Qinghai Province on Saturday, with the participation of about 150 professional cyclists from 22 teams around the world.

Launched in 2002, Tour of Qinghai Lake is the biggest Asian cycling race that attracts world-wide attention. It is a 2.HC race sanctioned by the International Cycling Union (UCI), a top intercontinental road stage race, second only to HC races, such as Tour de France.

The route is designed around Qinghai Lake, extending it through Qinghai Province to neighboring Gansu Province and Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region.

Tour of Qinghai Lake is famous for its long distance of 1,800 to 1,900 kilometers and severe environment with the altitude ranging from 1,097 to 3,817 meters.

At Longyang Gorge during the 4th stage, riders will face one of the toughest obstacles, an altitude drop by 1,500 meters from 3,700 to 2,200 meters.

En route to the finishing end, riders will have to conquer some world-class climbing points. The pass to Laji Mountain is a HC level climbing point with an altitude of 3,817 meters. Such a climbing is equal to halfway up to Mount Qomolangma.

The tour will have 13 stages in 14 days, with the last in Yinchuan, Ningxia, on July 27.