With just a bicycle, starting from Guangzhou, he cycled 14,000 kilometers over eight months, crossing ten provinces including Tibet, Xinjiang, and Gansu, delivering urgently needed supplies to schools in remote mountainous areas.
The one who completed this journey was 23-year-old Peng Jun from Shaoguan. “I really enjoyed the process—I crossed China’s largest desert alone and traveled the toughest Qinghai-Tibet Highway. I believe life is about experiencing these kinds of things.” Recently, after returning home, Peng Jun shared his thoughts: “When I handed the school supplies that the children needed directly into their hands and looked into their clear eyes, I knew my journey in public welfare would not stop.”
Two years ago, Peng Jun, then a student at Guangzhou Vocational College of Technology, chose to drop out because he felt that wasn’t the life he wanted. Later, he traveled to Tibet and met many volunteers who had come to teach there, moved by the atmosphere of compassion.
After returning home, Peng Jun came up with the idea of engaging in public welfare. Last year, he accidentally came across a public welfare website that called on “travelers” to carry an extra kilogram of luggage when visiting impoverished areas—to bring books, stationery, and other supplies for the children there. That inspired him to cycle and visit rural schools.
He called this approach “micro-public welfare.” He believes that compared to other philanthropists who donate large sums to support education, what he does seems insignificant. After planning for over two months, he identified 20 schools online and mapped out a cycling route, deciding to personally deliver the supplies he had purchased.
On April 29, 2012, after quitting his job, Peng Jun started his journey from Guangzhou to Tibet. Along with some daily necessities, he also carried over 400 notebooks, thousands of pens, and some sports equipment. At each school, Peng Jun would hand the supplies directly to the children. He said that although they didn’t speak the same language, the children eagerly competed to take photos with him.
What left the deepest impression on Peng Jun was arriving at Qiao'erzhai Primary School in Xiangxi on June 1st and discovering that the children didn’t know it was Children’s Day. So, Peng Jun went to town to buy fruit, played jump rope and games with the kids, and celebrated the holiday together. This also made him realize that students in remote areas face more issues related to lack of information. “So we focus more on spiritual communication.”
This also strengthened Peng Jun’s resolve to continue on his path of public welfare, even though he once nearly faced death.
According to Peng Jun, it happened on the way to Rejisa Township in Motuo County, Tibet. The road to the school in that area was built along the Yarlung Tsangpo Grand Canyon—extremely narrow and basically impossible to cycle on.
“This school was one I added temporarily. Locals told me that if I wasn’t just putting on a show, I should go to Rejisa Township, as it was the place most in need of help—but no ‘traveler’ had been there yet.” Peng Jun readily agreed. After leaving his bike at a Tibetan friend’s house, he spent seven days hiking to the destination and delivered the supplies to the school.
However, on the way back, Peng Jun’s luggage fell off the cliff into the valley. When he reached out to retrieve it, he fell as well. Peng Jun said that when he was hanging from the cliff, he felt completely helpless. “My hands were almost out of strength, no one was passing by, but I told myself I couldn’t die like this—I still wanted to go home and see my family.” In the end, he found some tree vines and climbed up using them.
Peng Jun wrote about this experience in a 500-page diary, where he wrote: “Engaging in public welfare helps me find the most authentic version of myself.” Throughout this journey, Peng Jun donated all of his one-year savings—over 20,000 RMB. He emphasized, “There are still many schools waiting for me. Although I haven’t contacted them yet, it’s already my responsibility.”
Now, Peng Jun has returned home and opened an online store selling postcards he made during his journey. A group of enthusiastic people heard his story and got involved. “I will continue with public welfare, but maybe not in this cycling way. I’ll consider the fastest way to help them. But I don’t expect anything in return, because I don’t want to put pressure on them.”
Peng Jun said that the children in the pastoral areas live happily and joyfully—that is their way of life. He doesn’t want their original paths to be changed because of others’ help.
According to Peng Jun, he plans to use the proceeds from the charity postcard sales to establish a public welfare fund, which will later be donated to schools and orphanages in Tibet. He also plans to collaborate with the Shaoguan Communist Youth League to participate in local public welfare initiatives.