On April 15, 2019, the Tour de France China series joined China Green Foundation "Million Forest Program" to create "The Tour de France Chinese Forest" in Alxa Tengger Desert. Taking #Earth Rider as the theme, the project will combine with the Tour de France Events in China, enabling riders to participate in the ecological public welfare. Riders advocate cycling as a low-carbon lifestyle will have a chance to contribute to the protection of the natural environment and the prevention and control of desertification.

The China Green Foundation, affiliated to the National Forestry and Grassland Administration, co-sponsored the “Million Forest Program” public welfare project with the United Nations Environment Programme and Climate Group in 2009. The project is divided into three modules: “ecological restoration + nature education + community development”. By building a tree planting platform, the public is guided to actively participate in ecological public welfare, and to plant a tree of hope for recreating green environment in the desert. The Tour de France China series joined “Million Forest Program” under the Alxa Tengger Desert Edge-lock Eco-public Welfare Project. The program started with the registration of L’Etape Zhuji, first stop of the 2019 Asian Tour.

"The Tour de France Chinese Forest" adopts a public subscription model. Participants can subscribe for one desert tree for 10 yuan when they sign up for the L’Etape Zhuji on the L’Etape China official website. In addition, donors will also receive an exclusive bib number of "Earth Rider" and receive an official customized donation certificate upon completion of the race. It will be an extraordinary cycling experience as the contestants have the opportunity to plant a tree of hope by riding in the race. Your subscription will add some green color to the world.

L’Etape China T-shirts will also be sold on site and 10 yuan of the sales of each shirt will be used to subscribe for a desert tree in the Tour de France Chinese Forest.

Location of Tour de France Chinese Forest

With the help of participants, the Tour de France Chinese Forest will be planted around the Dream Desert Highway in the Alxa Tengger Desert. A green protective belt will be built to prevent the expansion and erosion of the desert through the concept of "desert lock-in".

During the "Million Forest Program", the Tour de France Events in China will also launch online competitions and off-line public welfare cycling visits. Through online and off-line linkages, riders will witness the growth of the forest and reverse growth of the Tengger Desert. With the joint effort of participants, Tour de France Chinese Forest will grow stronger, and one day in the future, the Tengger Desert will become a new oasis and a perfect place for cycling. Now join us for the great course!