Woman with pink nail polish versus wild — and both win

Authenticity is key

The other key attraction is the challenge's authenticity. Unlike many reality shows that rely on scripts to create storylines, the survival challenge has carved out a niche with its spirit of "no supplies, no script, real survival".

This authenticity is etched into every detail. In the videos, fans see the contestants' dirt-smudged faces, their cracked and bleeding fingers, and their frustration at spending two hours trying to start a fire. These unedited, often uncomfortable scenes of wilderness survival have become the event's most compelling narrative.

To bridge the gap between the on-screen wilderness struggle and the audience, the organizers introduced a series of fan-voted awards, including "Best Fire-Making Award" and "Favorite Contestant", all decided through viewers' votes during the livestream.

For Tian, the biggest difference between the event and wilderness survival shows in the West is its philosophical approach. While productions from abroad often emphasize conquering nature through individual heroics and confrontation, the Zhangjiajie challenge advocates harmonious coexistence with nature, he said.

Rather than timed rescues and escapes featured in the overseas shows, the Zhangjiajie challenge emphasizes long-term adaptation and resource cultivation, embracing what organizers term an "agrarian-style survival strategy".

Instead of cutting down trees, participants are encouraged to use deadwood and kindling from the forest for fuel. They are also prohibited from hunting any wildlife. Instead, organizers introduced domesticated animals, including chickens and pigs, into the environment as food sources for the contestants before the challenge commenced.

All these efforts were made to strike a balance between authentic survival experiences and environmental responsibility, Tian said.

While audiences are eagerly anticipating which contestants will advance to the finals, the organizers are already looking to the future. Leveraging Zhangjiajie's global reputation, they are strategically positioning the competition to have a long-term influence.

There will be improvements to future events, including refined regulations, a more comprehensive ranking system, and enhanced medical monitoring protocols, Tian said.

Meanwhile, the Qixing Mountain Scenic Area is exploring ways to make use of the competition's success to promote tourism.

Initiatives include establishing a permanent wilderness survival base and developing specialized wilderness experience routes for tourists. These products will offer ordinary visitors a chance to learn essential survival skills under professional guidance, such as making fire, purifying water, and identifying wild plants, Tian said.

Contact the writers at limuyun@chinadaily.com.cn