This summer vacation, Zhou Tianliang, a soon-to-be junior at Hainan University, did something "bold and impressive" that left countless people envious and fired up. On July 8, Zhou and his companions set off from Haikou by bicycle. After 31 days, they arrived in Lhasa on August 8, having cycled for 21 days and covered a total of 2,050 km. They passed through Kunming, Dali, Lijiang, and Shangri-La in Yunnan, as well as Chamdo and Nyingchi in Tibet, climbing over seven mountains above 4,000 meters and two above 5,000 meters in altitude. In the end, with unyielding perseverance, he made the flag of Hainan University flutter at the foot of Mount Everest. Recently, a reporter met with Zhou Tianliang.
Started preparing for cycling half a year in advance
Zhou Tianliang is a student from the School of Materials and Chemical Engineering at Hainan University, class of 2010, and an avid sports enthusiast who loves cycling.
Zhou, who enjoys cycling, said he loves seeing the scenery along the way. To prepare for a smooth trip to Tibet, he and three other classmates began preparations half a year in advance. They exercised daily to build their stamina, raised funds for the journey, learned bike repairs, planned their route, and gathered information from members of the cycling association who had been to Tibet, preparing contingency plans for all kinds of emergencies.
Zhou said the hardest part was convincing his parents. When Zhou’s parents heard he planned to cycle from Hainan to Tibet, they immediately opposed the idea, citing the long distance, numerous uncertainties, and dangers, and firmly refused to let him go. So, Zhou patiently explained to them, informing them of their thorough preparations and analyzing the pros and cons to gain their understanding and support. “Youth is not just about daring to dream, but also about daring to act and persevere,” he said with a smile.
Along the way, he gained beautiful sights and touching moments
A month of travel left Zhou’s skin deeply tanned. Despite challenges along the way—such as having his bike light and cyclometer stolen, falling off his bike, getting flat tires, falling ill, and encountering hail—he put all the hardships aside when he saw the Potala Palace at dawn, the Tanggula Mountains on the Qinghai-Tibet Railway, and the rainbow in Gongbu...
Besides enjoying the scenery, Zhou also encountered many interesting moments and received much kindness during the ride. For example, cattle in Benzilan could graze leisurely on cliffs; he learned horseback riding from local herders; after cycling for over 12 exhausting hours, a kind young Tibetan man in Mangkang County, Tibet, helped push his bike; and during a 100-km stretch between altitudes of 1,800 and 3,200 meters, amid wind, rain, hunger, and cold, a young Tibetan’s butter tea, 20 steamed buns, and two packs of pickled vegetables gave him a much-needed energy boost.
Never give up in the face of setbacks
Zhou said the reason he chose Tibet as the destination for this cycling trip was not only because he loved Tibet but also because he wanted to challenge himself more while still young. He said that cycling from Hainan to Tibet, averaging eight hours of riding per day, was tough, and the lack of proper food and living conditions tested not only physical strength but also mental endurance. To replenish energy, they prepared dry rations for the day before setting off, and no matter the taste, they had to eat to maintain their strength.
Zhou said his mind did waver during the ride, especially when facing setbacks and difficulties, and he even thought about quitting. It was the mutual encouragement among teammates that kept him going step by step until the end. What impressed Zhou the most was the tough cycling conditions they faced on the stretch from Mangkang to Rumei—they slept on the floor in a makeshift cabin, went days without showering, and ate group meals with only one dish at the Rongxi Barracks alongside over 20 others.
“I think the meaning of cycling is not just about enjoying the scenery along the way. As post-90s individuals, we also hope to temper our willpower and mindset through cycling—that will be a lifelong treasure,” Zhou said. This trip to Tibet brought him many gains, and the people he met and the experiences he had will be wonderful memories in his life. Undoubtedly, in this test of endurance and perseverance, Zhou delivered an impressive performance and added a brilliant chapter to his life.