Cycling thousands of miles to promote
A worn-out bicycle, a simple backpack, and dozens of beautiful brochures about Changchun... Packing his bags and carrying his dreams, a disabled man rides his bicycle to share his journey with others. Born with a physical disability, he dreamed of traveling across the country...
Born with a physical disability, he dreamed of traveling the nation
"I've always been very optimistic. I didn't read much, but I know that when life gives you lemons, you make lemonade," said Zhang Aipin, facing the storms of fate without fear.
Zhang Aipin is from Changchun. When he was just four months old, a high fever gave him encephalitis, resulting in a third-degree physical disability and some impact on his intellect. Because he couldn't keep up with the pace of regular elementary school, he was sent to a school for children with special needs.
At the age of 12, one day when he visited a classmate's home, he became deeply interested in a map on the wall. From that moment, he realized just how vast the world and the country really are. That map, covered with place names, took root in his heart.
Starting with a love for maps and collecting them, Zhang Aipin set his heart on traveling across the country. So he thought of his most precious gift—his bicycle, given to him by his brother-in-law decades ago.
Promoting Changchun along the way with beautiful brochures
Rainy days, fierce winds, and other challenges on the road never scared Zhang Aipin. No matter how heavy his steps or how rough the path, even if he had to carry his bicycle, he kept moving forward.
With limited funds, wherever Zhang Aipin went, he would use certificates issued by relevant Changchun departments to contact local governments and arrange to stay with their help. Meals on the road were even simpler—a piece of bread and a bottle of water made up his meals. "Even such rough living has its own unique flavor." Looking back now, Zhang Aipin still enjoys those times.
"When I hand out brochures about Changchun to people in other cities, I feel incredibly proud because through these little booklets, they come to know more about our hometown." Zhang Aipin said that the ultimate goal of each of his journeys is to promote the beauty of Changchun across the country.
16 years, over 200 counties and cities across the nation
In Zhang Aipin’s room, there are stacks of maps, about 60 or so. He points to the locations on them, recounting his journeys.
In 1997, he rode his bicycle to Shanghai, a bustling city, beginning his journey. Excited and thrilled, looking at unfamiliar streets and faces, yet feeling a deep sense of closeness—because this beginning brought him one step closer to his dream.
"That year I went to Beidaihe, and a driver asked me for directions. When I saw that the license plate was from Changchun, it felt really good." Zhang Aipin recalled that warm feeling of meeting someone from his hometown while abroad, which remains vivid in his memory.
During his travels, Zhang Aipin carried a white cloth strip with him. Whenever he arrived in a new place, he would ask the local authorities to stamp it, filling in his journey map. From 1997 to the present, over the past 16 years, he has cycled through more than 10 provinces and cities and over 200 counties and cities across the country, including Liaoning, Shanxi, Hebei, Henan, Jiangsu, and others, covering a total distance of over 100,000 kilometers.
Planning to head to Xi'an in April this year
Now 40 years old, Zhang Aipin, due to his right-side physical disability, walks with some difficulty and finds cycling even more challenging. "I just want to prove that we people with disabilities also have determination, can be self-reliant, and can create extraordinary experiences."
Due to weather conditions, Zhang Aipin sets off every year after spring and cycles for about half a year, returning to Changchun before the cold sets in around autumn.
Currently, he is busy at home preparing for this year’s trip. Sheets of paper list out routes and equipment. And the first stop this year is Xi'an in April.
The bicycle that has traveled over 100,000 kilometers has been labeled with a “Changchun Welcomes You” sign. He has also made a hat to promote Changchun. For this trip, he is fully prepared, looking forward to warmer spring days to reach his next stop, and the one after that...