Did you have something you wanted to do when you were young but never got around to it? If so, why not go wild while you’re still young? Guo Lilong, born in 1989 in Hebi, Henan, went all out. He hiked all the way from Beijing to India, using his journey to show others that with a dream, you persevere; because of perseverance, you reach your goal.
Decided to go to Lhasa despite never having traveled before
Guo Lilong is an only child who grew up close to his parents. Though life wasn’t affluent, he never lacked food or clothing. He loved geography and dreamed of becoming a traveler, measuring the world’s vastness with his feet and seeking its beauty with his eyes.
Lhasa had always been his dream destination. As the center of Tibetan Buddhism, it’s a place that purifies the soul. Guo Lilong longed to go to Lhasa—he dreamed about it—but due to practical constraints, the dream never materialized.
In 2011, Guo Lilong had a bold idea: to start from Mohe in China’s northernmost province of Heilongjiang and hike on foot to Lhasa, completing his own personal “pilgrimage.”
The moment the idea was proposed, it was met with widespread skepticism. Friends and family said he was crazy, and fellow travelers advised him that without any hiking experience or wilderness survival skills, it was an impossible mission.
Determined to make himself stronger and braver, and to view this journey as a test of growth, Guo Lilong steeled his resolve. He researched the provinces he would pass through online and mapped out a detailed route.
On May 22, 2011, Guo Lilong set off from Mohe, Heilongjiang. Before departing, a friend told him, “Treat this hike as exercise. If you don’t make it, no regrets—just head home.” Guo Lilong simply clenched his fist and declared, “I’m going for it!”
Money troubles couldn’t stop this determined young man
When the journey truly began, everything turned out to be far harder than imagined. The first challenge was money. When hungry, he couldn’t afford restaurants and ate steamed buns with tap water; when tired, he couldn’t afford hotels and slept under bridges like a homeless person. When broke, he picked up plastic bottles to sell along the way and worked odd jobs at small eateries for tips...
Guo Lilong sang “Ambition Lies Within Me” as he walked. Three months later, he arrived in Beijing, where he stayed for about seven or eight months. Gradually regaining confidence and strength, he made a major decision—not only to reach Lhasa but also to embark on a round-the-world hike.
In spring 2012, Guo Lilong bought a phone and a camera, had just 8 yuan left, packed five steamed buns, and set off from Beijing to begin his global trek.
On May 11, 2012, Guo Lilong reached Dingzhou in Baoding. From there, he hiked continuously for 26 hours and arrived in Shijiazhuang by noon the next day. Touched by the gesture, he found over 20 outdoor enthusiasts waiting for him at the Yuhua Road highway interchange. After a brief stop in Shijiazhuang, he pressed on.
On December 25, 2012, Guo Lilong arrived in Lhasa.
Multiple brushes with death
Countless times, Guo Lilong faced danger; countless times, he hovered near life and death. He said he felt grateful just to be alive—because surviving is already a triumph. He wrote in his journal:
“Challenges arose every day. I can’t forget the despair of sinking into the snow-covered wilderness of Tibet with every step uphill. I can’t forget how my hands froze numb in seconds atop snowy peaks, countless times. I can’t forget being beaten up for no reason multiple times on the road. I can’t forget the loneliness, isolation, and eerie silence of days without seeing a single soul by the Yellow River, Jinsha River, and Yarlung Tsangpo River. I can’t forget how lice infested my clothes due to harsh conditions in Tibet. I can’t forget nearly dying countless times in snowy mountains or desolate places...”
Along this grueling journey, though constantly surrounded by hardship and loneliness, more and more people helped Guo Lilong. Even those who once looked down on him gradually changed their views.
Solitary travels abroad, filled with both sorrow and joy
Guo Lilong said one life-threatening experience in India would stay with him forever. In sheer panic, he felt the kindness and warmth of human connection in a foreign land.
It happened one night when he was walking about 30 kilometers from Gorakhpur city in Uttar Pradesh, India. Two Indian youths suddenly jumped out from the roadside—one snatched his camera and covered his nose and mouth, making it hard to breathe, while the other stole his phone. The robbers released him, nearly suffocating, and fled on a motorcycle.
“I felt so helpless. Every passing car or pedestrian seemed like another robber.” In sheer terror, Guo Lilong flagged down several vehicles and finally reached Gorakhpur city, where he reported the crime. With the help of a kind-hearted hotel owner, he used the inn’s computer to go online and reassure his friends.
The local mayor, police, and media all offered him maximum support. When it was time to leave, three officials even drove him to Nepal. In the car, Guo Lilong sang the Chinese song “Friends” for them, and as they parted, he bowed deeply to thank the three Indian brothers.
The journey continues, and dreams live on
Guo Lilong walked across 11 provinces in China, covering about 125 counties, as well as two other countries. He climbed 18 high mountains, crossed 15 famous rivers, wore out 11 pairs of shoes, and after roughly 521 days, hiked approximately 7,877 kilometers, capturing about 60,000 photos. These numbers represent the miracles he created.
Today, Guo Lilong has temporarily paused his steps in Beijing. But he says his dreams are still ongoing. He’s made a dream list: climb Mount Everest, attend a top university, master English, read 1,000 books, invent a robot, learn magic tricks, and continue his hiking adventures... He says some of these dreams may never come true—or only partially—but as long as he stays healthy and happy, he won’t give up trying.
Life Quotes
If you have a dream, age isn’t an issue, money isn’t an issue, nothing is an issue. Prepare to endure hardship, and the place in your heart can be reached.
The journey may have stopped, but the dreams continue.