Some say the highest state of life is to "just grab your bag and go."
Like many, he has a dream of traveling the world.
Yet unlike many, he is willing to give up a comfortable reality for that dream.
At 26, in the prime of his career, he quit his job at a state-owned enterprise, hopped on a bicycle, slung a backpack, and set off to explore the world — all to find spiritual fulfillment and turn his dreams into reality.
His name is Wen Jianhong. On July 3, he took a train from Dongguan to Yunnan, starting his cycling journey from Dali. He passed through Lijiang, Shangri-La, Ranwu, and has now arrived in Lhasa.
Along the way, there have been joys, challenges, unpredictable dangers, and rewarding experiences.
Plan to cycle through Southeast Asia in 8 months
Wen Jianhong works at a state-owned enterprise in Dongguan. In his own words, life there was "nine to six, with an extra half hour on either end — that pretty much sums up the main rhythm of life. A single note vibrating, orderly yet monotonous, yet oddly harmonious."
This kind of work situation is actually envied by many.
In Dongguan, he shared a small living space with colleagues, which he jokingly called a "cozy nest."
In that cramped space, the only sounds were mouse clicks and keyboard taps — his way of seeking a connection to the outside world through the internet.
He described himself as just another netizen. Compared to that dull routine, he figured it was better to break free and head out to find a world of freedom.
After much internal struggle, Wen Jianhong set off on his dream trip without telling his family.
Here’s the route he planned:
Dali – Lijiang – Shangri-La – Ranwu – Bayi – Lhasa (mid-August) – Shigatse – Lhatse – Everest Base Camp – Zhangmu – Kathmandu, Nepal (October–November) – Pokhara – Chitwan – New Delhi, India – Agra – Jaipur – Bangkok, Thailand – Chiang Mai – Sukhothai – Siem Reap, Cambodia – Vietnam – Guangxi – Guangdong.
The entire Southeast Asia cycling trip is planned to take 8 months.
He said the timeline is subject to change after he actually sets off, as he plans to stay and rest in scenic areas and famous attractions, and also due to visa issues in foreign countries.
Also, unexpected situations along the way — such as sudden weather changes, visa complications, health issues, political instability in certain countries, or safety concerns — could cause delays or prompt route adjustments.
Carrying a DSLR, laptop, and 30 pounds of gear while cycling
On July 6, in Dali. Wen Jianhong packed his backpack, hopped on his bicycle, and began his dream of traveling the world.
"I have quite a bit of electronic gear — a DSLR, a laptop, a point-and-shoot camera, plus basic clothing like a down jacket and quick-dry shirts and pants. I also carry common medications like rhodiola, cold medicine, and fever reducers, as well as some cycling gear like tire repair kits, spare tubes, and a pump. The total weight is around 30 pounds," Wen Jianhong said.
At first, climbing hills with the loaded bike felt incredibly tough — almost too "miserable" for a cycling trip. But after crossing one mountain after another, he gradually got used to it.
Along the way, he encountered many interesting people. One guy played guitar while cycling and sang on mountain passes; another walked into Tibet with his dog. He traveled alongside them, sharing the road.
Challenges beyond imagination, yet the journey is captivating
The rainy season greatly affects cycling — landslides can trigger mudflows and road collapses, which are dangerous. Even without major hazards, cycling at high altitude in the rain is freezing and drains energy quickly.
Wen Jianhong still faces a series of challenges ahead:
The Yunnan-Tibet Highway stretches about 2,000 kilometers, requiring the crossing of two mountains over 5,000 meters and more than ten peaks above 4,000 meters;
Tibet and Nepal have a highland climate with harsh, unpredictable weather, where travelers often encounter heavy snow, rainstorms, landslides, and other severe weather and geological disasters;
Southeast Asian countries such as Myanmar experience relatively unstable political situations, where sudden riots, coups, and other incidents can also pose significant risks to personal safety, among other concerns.
“No matter how many difficulties and hardships lie ahead on the road, no matter how many potential and unpredictable natural disasters or man-made calamities may occur, I firmly believe that as long as you hold onto your dreams, maintain unwavering faith, and preserve the courage and perseverance to keep going, you can complete this long and moving cycling journey.”
When he arrived at Yubeng Village, Wen Jianhong wrote online:
“The trip to Yubeng was a journey of the soul. Each night when you look up, you’ll see a sky glittering with brilliant stars; each time you walk through the darkness, you might dance with the spirits of the forest; those vast fields of colorful flowers, villages with wisps of cooking smoke, and towering snow-capped mountains—every hike and trek through the forest feels like Alice stumbling into a fairyland, dreamlike yet real. The fatigue of the journey still cannot stop the heart that seeks truth and beauty.”
Estimated total expenses: over 40,000 yuan
Travel broadens the mind and purifies the soul, and expenses are inevitable. Wen Jianhong told reporters that his original budget was 100 yuan per day, with basic costs mainly for accommodation and food. He tried to stay in family-run guesthouses, ate mostly vegetables with one or two meat dishes, and occasionally splurged a little.
He described himself as a “budget traveler,” explaining that budget travel means minimizing flexible expenses on top of fixed costs, prioritizing affordability in clothing, food, housing, and transportation wherever possible.
He roughly calculated that daily accommodation cost between 20–50 yuan, meals averaged around 15 yuan per meal. Visa fees came to about 2,000 yuan, insurance 1,500 yuan, attraction entry fees 2,000 yuan, plus various miscellaneous expenses, bringing the estimated total cost of the entire trip to 41,500 yuan.