An incredible 4,491-kilometer cycling odyssey through breathtaking scenery!" "I left too late!" he says.

▲Golden poplars and the colorful danxia landforms in the distance reflect off the lake, creating a dreamlike scene.

Reported by Peng Huaiyu / Photos by Wang S-Zi-Mao

"I left too late!" — a sentiment that has lingered in the minds of many. With just a simple backpack, he embarked on a solo cycling journey, setting off from Xi'an and heading westward through Gansu and Xinjiang. Covering an astonishing 4,491 kilometers, the ride took him through golden poplar forests that shimmered under the light, reflecting off lakes and mountains. Along the way, he traversed plateaus, deserts, gobi, and icy plains — the stunning landscapes were beyond words or simple description.

▲The journey took him through plateaus, deserts, gobi, and icy plains — the stunning landscapes were beyond words or simple description.

Wang is now 40 years old. For the past five years, he worked as an interior designer at the same company in Taipei, enduring the early-to-rise, late-to-bed routine that comes with an unrecognized designer’s life. In October 2017, the then-single man decided to leave everything behind and set out on a soul-searching cycling adventure. "The duration is uncertain, maybe two or three months..." That’s what he said back then.

▲Just a bike, tent, and sleeping bag — simple luggage made the trip less burdensome.

Starting from Xi'an, he began cycling along the barren Qilian Mountains, where he first encountered traces of Buddhism. Upon reaching the Mogao Caves in Dunhuang, "The massive Buddha grottoes, originally brought from India to China, were genderless. It wasn’t until they came to China that male or female representations appeared. As Buddhism spread to different countries, it took on various forms. You can also see relics of key figures in its introduction, such as Kumarajiva and Xuanzang," Wang explained.

▲The Buddha statues at the Mogao Caves in Dunhuang look completely different from those in Taiwan.

In autumn and winter, nothing shines brighter than the poplar trees. According to Wikipedia, "Populus euphratica lives for a thousand years without dying, stands for a thousand years after death, and does not rot for another thousand years after falling." This saying perfectly illustrates their tenacious vitality. It also signaled that this journey would be a test of physical strength and endurance.

▲In China, 90% of populus euphratica trees are found in Xinjiang, and you can spot them all along the Tarim River.

The poplar trees grow in desert lakes. "China has 90% of them in Xinjiang, and you can find them all along the Tarim River," Wang said. The reason so many travelers come isn’t just because they’re beautiful, but also because of the movie Hero by Zhang Yimou, in which one fight scene was filmed in a poplar forest. In that scene, Maggie Cheung wore a striking red dress that stood out vividly against the golden backdrop. Since then, many visitors have donned red clothing to take "Instagram-worthy" photos in the poplar woods.

▲The Binggou Danxia area sees relatively fewer tourists, with its towering columnar danxia formations resembling, to some extent, the Bryce Canyon National Park in the U.S.

Danxia landforms were also a highlight of the trip. Instead of visiting the colorful Qicai Danxia, Wang opted for the quieter Binggou Danxia. Its columnar danxia formations, like oversized versions of the "Queen’s Head" rock, bear a resemblance to the landscapes of Bryce Canyon National Park in the U.S.

▲%The columnar danxia landscape here bears some resemblance to the Bryce Canyon National Park in the U.S., especially in how the light and colors play across the rocks.