He Bin introduces the photos he took along the way.
A 30-year-old Xibe man, a travel bicycle worth more than 7,000 yuan, from Yining City in Xinjiang to Shenyang City — a journey of over 4,850 kilometers. From 9 a.m. on July 3 to 4 a.m. on August 15, He Bin spent 44 days cycling on a journey to trace his roots.
“Ever since I was a child and heard my elders talk about the history of the Xibe people, I’ve had the idea of making this thousand-kilometer journey to find my roots.” He Bin is a music teacher at a primary school in Yingye’er Township, Yining City. As early as 2010, he wanted to find an opportunity to fulfill this wish. “My father was very worried about my safety on the road and strongly opposed my solo bike trip.” Two years later, He Bin’s determination to cycle weakened his father’s resistance.
Starting from March of this year, He Bin began preparing for the trip. “I’ve cycled to Xinyuan and Zhaosu counties before, ridden along Provincial Highway 217 with fellow cyclists, and also made two solo trips to Urumqi.” He Bin was full of confidence about this journey. He repeatedly familiarized himself with the road conditions along the way using Google Earth, trying his best to understand all the situations he might encounter. Despite that, he still met unforeseen obstacles during the trip.
“Along the way, I stayed in a hotel four times, hitched a ride once, got five flat tires, and went through nine tires.” To save money, He Bin brought essential living items such as a tent, sleeping bag, gas stove, and basic groceries, and camped in remote areas away from crowds. “Every evening, I’d first look for a place to rest, then go find water to cook. Whenever I came across an abandoned roadside wall or old house, I felt truly blessed — sleeping there meant shelter from wind and rain.” Eating only two meals a day, He Bin tried to drink as little water as possible. Whenever he got tired from cycling, he slowed down, waited to recover some strength, and then picked up the pace again. “At first, my body wasn’t used to it — I got mouth sores and my skin was unbearably dry. Once I adjusted, there were several times when my body nearly reached the point of dehydration.” Enduring the torment of dehydration, He Bin wrapped himself in hiking gear, covered in dust from the road, and time after time summoned his spirit to continue his journey tracing his roots.
Over 4,850 kilometers, 44 days and nights — this records the remarkable feat of a young Xibe man. “I hitched a ride once, which saved me 400 kilometers. It was because of an unexpected car accident. I was walking along the side of the road when a large truck came by. The cab was too high and the driver didn’t see me.” By the time the exhausted He Bin realized the large vehicle behind him, the truck’s wheel had already grazed his bike frame. Fortunately, He Bin, who swerved off the road, only sprained his ankle.
Ever since He Bin set out on his journey to find his roots, the hearts of his whole family went with him. “He convinced me first, and then persuaded Dad.” He Bin’s wife is also a teacher. Ever since she learned about her husband’s plan to complete this journey, she hasn’t been able to set her mind at ease. “My dad also asks me every day where he is and how the trip is going.” At first, it was He Bin calling his father, but after a week, his father couldn’t bear the anxiety of waiting and started calling his son countless times a day, fearing something might happen to him on the road.
Along the way, He Bin interacted with over 100 friends via QQ and WeChat, and his daily progress was followed closely by everyone. The longest stretch he cycled was on the final leg of the journey. That day, he set off from Huludao City in Liaoning Province and rode continuously for 20 hours, arriving at the Xibe Family Temple in Shenyang City at 4 a.m. The sky in Shenyang had just begun to brighten, and heavy rain washed over this beautiful border city. An elderly man surnamed Han took He Bin back to his home to freshen up. At 9 a.m., He Bin finally knelt before the ancestral statues in the Xibe Family Temple. Only then did this young man, who had traveled a thousand kilometers to find his roots, shed his first tear since setting off.
“I cried for three reasons: first, for the suffering of my ancestors’ westward migration; second, for the heroic deeds of the Xibe descendants in cultivating and guarding the frontier; and third, because I had finally succeeded in finding my roots.” Without much delay, on the morning of August 17, He Bin boarded the train back home. “School is about to start, and I have a lot of work to do. Since I’ve already fulfilled my wish, I’m completely satisfied.” said He Bin.