A Chinese cyclist has completed an impressive 12-year journey of traveling on two wheels through 62 countries across five continents, fulfilling his childhood dream.
Zhu Zhiwen, 38, began his grand cycling journey with only a small amount of luggage. He departed from Shanghai, cycling through Nepal, India, Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam, and Laos before returning to southwest China's Yunnan Province.
Last year, Zhu embarked on another leg of his journey, cycling 15,500 kilometers from Beijing to Paris to watch the Olympic events.
"Cycling is a dream come true. The scenery along the way has broadened my vision and enriched my soul. Throughout the journey, I met people from different countries and regions, and I gained invaluable lessons through our communication and interactions. Every person I encountered and every experience I had was unique and full of richness and color," said the cyclist.
Born in a mountain village in Ruijin City of east China's Jiangxi Province, Zhu learned how to ride a bike by himself. There, the seed of cycling around the world was planted in his heart at a young age.
"When I was in junior high, I first learned in geography class that the Earth is round. I casually mentioned that I wanted to cycle around the world, and everyone burst into laughter," he said.
Never one to give up on a dream, Zhu was unfazed. As a university student, he cycled to Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region and Xizang Autonomous Region in northwest China during his summer vacations, accumulating a wealth of cycling and wilderness survival experience.
Over the past 12 years, Zhu has embarked on various journeys that have taken him across the desolate Sahara Desert, through the chilling wilderness and mesmerizing auroras of the Arctic Circle and into the heart of Africa to witness the grand spectacle of the wildlife migration.
During his travels, he faced numerous life-threatening moments, including traffic accidents and robberies, but none of these have stopped him.
Now, he has millions of followers across various social media platforms.
"I never thought he could keep going for more than ten years," said Zhu Wenfu, a friend of Zhu Zhiwen.
The world-trekking cyclist always carries gifts with Chinese elements during his rides and gives them to the people he meets, hoping that they will gain a better understanding of his home country.
"As a cyclist on the road, if I can play a small role in helping others gain a better understanding of China, I consider it something to be proud of," he said.
For his next adventures, Zhu said he will soon begin his cycling journeys in Oceania and Antarctica, fulfilling his dream of traveling across all seven continents.
Chinese cyclist completes 12-year journey across five continents
