“I want to go to Tibet, I want to go to Tibet, gazing at the vast snowy land, where the scenery is enchanting and the grass is lush green, everywhere is a pasture for my soul…” The song “I Want to Go to Tibet” sung by Wulan Tuoya fills people with longing for the charm of Tibet.
For 66-year-old Nanjing resident Weng Xiaogen, Tibet is a sacred place in his heart. He said that in this lifetime, he must travel all over Tibet and experience it with his heart. Last year, to realize this dream, he and his wife set off for Tibet together. On that trip, his wife suffered from severe altitude sickness and nearly lost her life, but that did not scare Weng Xiaogen away.
Over the past year, he has been busy fine-tuning his motorcycle and continuously training his physical fitness.
On April 20, he will take on the challenge of Tibet again with his beloved dog.
First Challenge: Wife Suffers from Altitude Sickness
Everyone has their own dreams, and for 66-year-old Weng Xiaogen, it’s Tibet. Weng Xiaogen said that he has seen the magnificent scenery and unique charm of Tibet many times in movies and TV dramas, and the dream of Tibet has long taken root in his heart. “It is one of the most beautiful places in the world. If I don’t go to Tibet in this lifetime, it will be a lifelong regret.” Last year, to turn this dream into reality, Weng Xiaogen embarked on his first journey to challenge Tibet.
On this challenge, Weng Xiaogen brought his wife along. The two rode motorcycles into Tibet from Sichuan. Things were going smoothly at first, but his wife was hit by altitude sickness. The situation was so severe that she almost lost her life. “At that time, we had reached an altitude of 3,800 meters, when my wife suddenly showed signs of altitude sickness—her lips turned purple and then she fell into a coma. I could only take her down the mountain in the vehicle,” Weng Xiaogen recalled. He said the situation was indeed critical; his wife’s condition was very poor, and there were no other means of transport on the mountain—they had to rely on the motorcycle they had driven up. “To keep my wife stable, I tied ropes around her and then secured the ropes to myself. We bumped along the road all the way down the mountain until we reached a hospital, where she finally survived.”
A Year of ‘Special Training’ for Both Man and Motorcycle
Due to his wife’s sudden condition, that trip to Tibet had to be aborted halfway. Although he faced setbacks, they did not extinguish Weng Xiaogen’s dream of Tibet. In his words, it was precisely because of that setback that his determination to enter Tibet grew even stronger. “I’m a stubborn person. I don’t back down in the face of difficulties; instead, I think about how to rise to the challenge,” Weng Xiaogen said.
For his second attempt, Weng Xiaogen made more thorough preparations. In his view, only with adequate preparation could the journey to Tibet be more reliable. First was the mode of transportation—he still chose a motorcycle. He said he loved the freedom of riding a motorcycle; without the confinement of a car, it is the most suitable vehicle for traveling in Tibet. To cope with the road conditions there, he optimized the performance of his motorcycle, using more powerful and durable parts. He also fine-tuned it multiple times to ensure the motorcycle was in its best condition before departure. With the motorcycle sorted out, the more critical aspect was the rider himself. Despite being full of passion, Weng Xiaogen had to admit that time waits for no one—he was after all a 66-year-old man, and his physical functions were no longer as strong as those of a young person. And traveling to Tibet would be a test of his body.
To build up his stamina, over the past year, Weng Xiaogen has been diligently engaging in physical exercises, including long-distance running, mountain climbing, and calisthenics. “My physical functions really aren’t what they used to be, but through exercise, I can still build up sufficient stamina,” Weng Xiaogen said.
April 20: He Sets Off Toward His Dream
For his second attempt, Weng Xiaogen made very thorough preparations. After discussing with experienced friends, he finally set the departure date for April 20. By that time, the weather is neither too cold nor too hot, making it perfect for motorcycle travel. The route, rest stops, and road conditions have all been carefully considered and recorded.
Because his wife suffered severe altitude sickness last time, she won’t be able to accompany Weng Xiaogen to Tibet this time. However, he won’t be lonely on the journey because his beloved dog will accompany him all the way to ease his loneliness. “He may be old, but his determination is truly admirable,” said a fellow traveler, Zhang.
Upon learning that Weng Xiaogen is preparing to challenge Tibet again, many travel enthusiasts spontaneously came to Jiangning to see their friend off. It is expected that this trip to Tibet will take about 50 days to reach Lhasa. Wishing the young-at-heart Weng Xiaogen a smooth journey and success in fulfilling his dream.
The Pen Tip –– It’s Never Too Late to Chase a Dream
In everyone’s mind, Tibet is a beautiful and mysterious place.
Indeed, Tibet is enchantingly scenic and uniquely charming, but to enjoy this charm, one must also endure tests.
Whether it’s rugged mountain roads or the ever-present risk of altitude sickness, every traveler faces significant challenges.
Weng Xiaogen is well aware of all these, and he knows his own physical condition too—but none of that has stopped his footsteps.
Those who have been to Tibet often say that such a journey is not only a feast for the eyes but also a spiritual pilgrimage that allows one's inner self to settle.
Challenging Tibet is Weng Xiaogen’s dream, and he doesn’t care that he is 66 years old. As long as you have a dream, it’s never too late to start.