71-year-old man cycles 30,000 km in 3 years to tour most of China.
Nowadays, the healthy travel style of exploring the whole country solo on a bicycle has been widely praised. However, while many of us are held back by daily chores and unable to embark on such journeys, Wang Zixian, a septuagenarian from Taiping Subdistrict, Puwan New Area, has already turned this dream into reality: over the past three years, he has cycled 30,000 km across 17 provinces, municipalities, and autonomous regions. "I spent last Spring Festival on Hainan Island, and next I plan to cycle through Southeast Asia!" Despite being 71 years old, the elderly man remains determined and persistent in pursuing his dreams.
Three years touring all corners of the country
Can't remember how many scenic spots visited
Sanshan Mountain, Huangdi Mausoleum, Dujiangyan, Leshan Giant Buddha, Shimen Gorge, Wuyi Mountain, White Horse Temple... At the home of Wang Zixian in Liujia Community, Taiping Subdistrict, Pulandian City, the reporter flipped through photo albums showing the elderly man’s snapshots at numerous national attractions. "I can’t take photos myself, so I missed taking pictures at quite a few scenic spots—that’s a bit of a regret," said Wang Zixian, who appeared before the reporter with dark skin, a loud voice, and a vigorous spirit, showing no signs of his 71 years.
Wang Zixian is a genuine farmer who rarely goes out except to tend to his few acres of farmland. He said the farthest places he had been to before were just three—Beijing, Shandong, and Harbin—but that was decades ago. "I’ve always felt that it’s a pity to live in China without seeing the whole country." In 2010, Wang read a newspaper report about someone cycling across the nation. By then, his wife had already passed away, one son worked in Shenzhen, and the other lived nearby. With no major responsibilities left, he put down his hoe and began his cycling journey. From October 2010 to January 2011, Wang Zixian cycled through seven provinces on a trial run, eventually reaching Hunan, then rode back to Dalian, covering a total distance of 7,500 km.
After the first trip, Wang Zixian summed up a lot of experience: autumn is the best season to start cycling, heading southward with beautiful scenery all along the way; try to carry as little as possible—just a few bike repair tools, a mobile phone, a bank card, and a few changes of clothes.
Staying at 10-yuan hotels to save money
Cycling an average of 8 hours per day
In Wang Zixian’s “travel diary,” he recorded the routes and expenses of his three trips over three years: traveling 30,000 km across 17 provinces, municipalities, and autonomous regions, with food, accommodation, and entrance fees totaling just over 23,000 yuan—a figure that’s truly astonishing.
Recalling the 30,000-km journey, Wang Zixian described it as “a mix of hardship and joy.” To save on transportation costs, he stayed in the cheapest hotels along the way, often paying just 10 yuan for a bed. He would wake up at 5 a.m., prepare dry rations and water for two meals, and set off from the hotel at 6 a.m. On average, Wang Zixian cycled eight hours every day. When passing markets, he would stop to buy fresh fruits and vegetables. At famous scenic spots, he would stay for a few days.
According to Wang Zixian, there were three main challenges during the trip. First, finding food was hard because he never knew how far the next eatery might be, so he would grab a quick meal whenever he spotted a suitable restaurant. Second, asking for directions was tough—he would buy a local map from the Xinhua Bookstore upon arriving at each new place. Third, climbing hills was difficult, so for his third trip, he specially bought an electric bicycle in Tianjin to tackle the slopes.
30,000 km of memorable stories
Plans to cycle through Southeast Asia in the future
Although he traveled alone, Wang Zixian was never lonely thanks to the interesting people, events, and scenery he encountered along the way. "Many people were impressed when they heard I had cycled all the way from Dalian on my own, and they showed me great respect and offered plenty of help!" Wang said. Staff at Jiuzhaigou waived his entrance fee after hearing about his cycling journey across China. In Zhangjiajie, two students from Beijing were moved by his spirit and offered to take photos for him, mailing the developed pictures to his home. The most unforgettable moment for Wang was when he got lost in thick fog near Suining and the Sandaigou toll station intersection in Pengxi County, Sichuan. Just as he didn’t know which way to go, he encountered an ambulance. The director of Pengxi County People’s Hospital, He Zhihong, learned about Wang’s situation and not only gave him a ride but also invited him to the hospital for a meal and arranged a free medical check-up. When Wang set off again, the hospital even provided him with hot water and cold medicine.
Reflecting on the rewards of cycling across the country, Wang Zixian felt he had gained both knowledge and physical fitness. Now 71, he has no health issues at all. What made Wang even happier was that he got to visit his elder son, who works in Shenzhen, twice during his cycling trips. "Plane tickets are expensive, and my son rarely comes home after starting work," Wang said. The first time he visited his son in Shenzhen, his son was so shocked his mouth formed an 'O'—he never expected his father to actually cycle all the way to Shenzhen.
As the interview drew to a close, Wang Zixian told the reporter that after three trips, he had pretty much visited all the major tourist attractions in China. Two months ago, he read in the newspaper about someone cycling through four Southeast Asian countries and started planning his own cycling trip there. "I just don’t quite understand what procedures are needed to go abroad—I hope someone who knows can guide me," he said.