Zhurihe is largest training base in Asia

Zhurihe, a Mongolian word meaning heart, courage and valor, was founded in 1957 as a training ground for tanks. It is now the most advanced military training base for the People’s Liberation Army as well as the biggest training base in Asia.

Zhurihe Training Base covers 1,066 square kilometers, roughly the size of Hong Kong, and offers realistic battle conditions in a variety of terrains, including grasslands, hills and deserts.

Zhurihe held its first exhibition exercise for foreign military observers in 2005 and has hosted complex realistic combat exercises involving hightech military hardware since 2008. Such drills involving red and blue units are designed to get the soldiers used to fighting better-equipped foes.

In 2014, Zhurihe hosted a six-day joint anti-terror drill with forces from Russia, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan and Tajikistan and PLA personnel.