With just a bicycle and a backpack, this summer vacation, 12-year-old Shan Yiheng from Dingyuan County and his father staged a “solo thousand-mile ride,” spending 45 days cycling all the way from Chengdu to Lhasa, conquering the famous Sichuan-Tibet Highway. From altitude sickness to sudden hailstorms, and even running out of food and clothing... The father-son duo overcame numerous difficulties and challenges during their 2,100-kilometer ride, while also experiencing the beauty of nature.
A Year in the Making: Father and Son Set Off for Tibet
Day after day on bumpy roads, nights spent in youth hostels—their dusty, arduous journey of dozens of days finally came to a fulfilling end on August 22. When asked about his deepest impression of the trip, the triumphant Shan Yiheng had just one word: “Tired.”
Three years ago, Shan Yiheng’s father, Shan Chendong, got into outdoor cycling and became a member of the Dingyuan County Cycling Association, which quickly became a passionate hobby. Weekends and holidays were often spent “on the road.” “Tibet has always been the dream destination for cyclists. A year ago, I suddenly had the idea to take my son there by bike.” Over the next 365 days, Shan Chendong put his son through rigorous, targeted training. “When cycling outdoors, you can encounter anything. Through this process, my child learned resilience and perseverance.” On June 28, the father and son took a train from Chuzhou to Chengdu, and on July 2, their ride officially began—adding the devout figures of this father-son duo to the Sichuan-Tibet Highway.
Struggling at the Summit: Son Suffers from Altitude Sickness
Shan Chendong told reporters that traveling along the Sichuan-Tibet Highway into Tibet involves crossing high mountains and rapid rivers, making the journey extremely tough, but the scenery along the way is spectacular—forests, snow-capped mountains, rivers, and grasslands that inspire awe. Although they were well prepared for the hardships of the Sichuan-Tibet Highway, the father and son still faced severe challenges during the ride, with the young Shan Yiheng enduring both physical and mental torment.
“When we were climbing over Golsi Mountain, we were hit by hail and stranded at the summit. Even worse, my son suffered from altitude sickness—he had a headache and nosebleeds.” Even a minor cold at high altitudes can have fatal consequences, so the father and son had no choice but to stay in the area for three days until the boy recovered before continuing their journey.
Lessons Along the Way: Teenager Perseveres to Reach the Top
Along the way, they encountered car accidents, cycled through heavy rain for ten consecutive days, faced freezing temperatures at high altitudes, and endured the physiological challenges brought by huge day-night temperature differences... On August 22, when the train arrived at Bengbu Station, Shan Yiheng’s mother, who had been worried for 45 days, tightly hugged her son, their tears mingling together. “I didn’t sleep soundly for a single night during those days. Sometimes I’d even wake up from nightmares.”
This journey was filled with countless tears and drops of sweat. Every time his son felt like giving up, his father encouraged and supported him. Bit by bit, Shan Yiheng conquered peak after peak. Having gone through this life-changing experience, Shan Yiheng, whose cheeks still bore a hint of altitude redness, said he had grown more sensible, stronger, and more confident.
A Year in the Making: Father and Son Set Off for Tibet
Day after day on bumpy roads, nights spent in youth hostels—their dusty, arduous journey of dozens of days finally came to a fulfilling end on August 22. When asked about his deepest impression of the trip, the triumphant Shan Yiheng had just one word: “Tired.”
Three years ago, Shan Yiheng’s father, Shan Chendong, got into outdoor cycling and became a member of the Dingyuan County Cycling Association, which quickly became a passionate hobby. Weekends and holidays were often spent “on the road.” “Tibet has always been the dream destination for cyclists. A year ago, I suddenly had the idea to take my son there by bike.” Over the next 365 days, Shan Chendong put his son through rigorous, targeted training. “When cycling outdoors, you can encounter anything. Through this process, my child learned resilience and perseverance.” On June 28, the father and son took a train from Chuzhou to Chengdu, and on July 2, their ride officially began—adding the devout figures of this father-son duo to the Sichuan-Tibet Highway.
Struggling at the Summit: Son Suffers from Altitude Sickness
Shan Chendong told reporters that traveling along the Sichuan-Tibet Highway into Tibet involves crossing high mountains and rapid rivers, making the journey extremely tough, but the scenery along the way is spectacular—forests, snow-capped mountains, rivers, and grasslands that inspire awe. Although they were well prepared for the hardships of the Sichuan-Tibet Highway, the father and son still faced severe challenges during the ride, with the young Shan Yiheng enduring both physical and mental torment.
“When we were climbing over Golsi Mountain, we were hit by hail and stranded at the summit. Even worse, my son suffered from altitude sickness—he had a headache and nosebleeds.” Even a minor cold at high altitudes can have fatal consequences, so the father and son had no choice but to stay in the area for three days until the boy recovered before continuing their journey.
Lessons Along the Way: Teenager Perseveres to Reach the Top
Along the way, they encountered car accidents, cycled through heavy rain for ten consecutive days, faced freezing temperatures at high altitudes, and endured the physiological challenges brought by huge day-night temperature differences... On August 22, when the train arrived at Bengbu Station, Shan Yiheng’s mother, who had been worried for 45 days, tightly hugged her son, their tears mingling together. “I didn’t sleep soundly for a single night during those days. Sometimes I’d even wake up from nightmares.”
This journey was filled with countless tears and drops of sweat. Every time his son felt like giving up, his father encouraged and supported him. Bit by bit, Shan Yiheng conquered peak after peak. Having gone through this life-changing experience, Shan Yiheng, whose cheeks still bore a hint of altitude redness, said he had grown more sensible, stronger, and more confident.