He Guangyuan (center)
With just a bicycle and a group of new friends, he spent nine nights and 10 days cycling around Taiwan, pushing his physical limits and enjoying the thrill of adventure. With a backpack weighing 60 jin (about 30 kilograms) and venturing off the beaten path that most tourists don’t take, he spent weekends hiking up mountains, camping, diving into deep pools for a refreshing swim, and gazing at starry skies not visible in the city...
He Guangyuan, a junior majoring in physical education at Nanjing Normal University, says every one of his journeys begins with “impulse and curiosity,” and each trip allows him to make like-minded friends. He believes that being passionate and energetic is reason enough to go on an adventure.
Cycling 1,200 kilometers around Taiwan — not a single day disappointed me
During last summer vacation, He Guangyuan was selected by his school to participate in the “Bike Ride Around Taiwan” event held by Fu Jen Catholic University in Taiwan for its 50th anniversary of reopening in Taiwan. This gave him a brand-new experience of cycling around the island together with more than 200 university students from both mainland China and Taiwan across various majors.
“Nine nights and 10 days, cycling over 1,200 kilometers — we started from Taipei heading south along the coastal route, passing through Miaoli, Lukang, Tainan, Kaohsiung, and Kenting. Then we turned north from Kenting, traveling via the mountain route through Taitung, Yuli, Hualien, and back to Taipei,” said He Guangyuan, excitedly recounting his Taiwan trip while wearing sports attire and standing at 1.8 meters tall. “It was an unforgettable adventure. There wasn’t a single day that wasn’t tiring, but there wasn’t a single day that disappointed me.”
He Guangyuan told reporters that during the bike ride around Taiwan, they would almost always set off at 6 a.m. each day, cycling around 120 kilometers. Sometimes the roads were rough, and they wouldn’t reach their destination until 9 p.m. There were times when he felt utterly exhausted, but he never thought of stopping. The hot weather combined with the high intensity of the ride meant that clothes dried the previous night would be soaked again within an hour the next day. Many suffered from heatstroke, but after only short breaks, they would continue on their way.
A third of the group had experienced various accidents during the ride, and he himself was knocked down, suffering a large gash on his leg. After a quick bandage, he continued the journey. Another male student from Fu Jen University had an accident while riding down a slippery mountain road, flying off his bike and landing seven or eight meters away, scraping his legs and face. But he only took a half-day rest before returning to the group, covered in bandages. “Later I learned that very few students had specialized sports training like I did. Aside from one male student who had to drop out due to a fracture, everyone else persevered, which I truly admired.”
When asked about the most interesting parts of the trip in Taiwan, “There were so many fun moments!” He exclaimed. On the southern leg, he saw the “Lukang Town” mentioned in Lo Ta-yu’s songs and witnessed people praying at the “Mazu Temple.” He also tackled the famed Shouka section (a continuous uphill followed by several kilometers of downhill) — a must-conquer part of any island-looping route. During Ghost Festival, he observed the devout worship and prayers of people in towns along the way. He also noticed the sea becoming bluer as he traveled from north to south, and by the time he reached Kenting in the far south, the blue of the sea and sky blended into an intoxicating view. On the northern leg, he tried all kinds of local fruits and specialty snacks and even happened upon the Amis Harvest Festival. “The students from both regions got along really well, and many are still in touch to this day. That’s probably the greatest takeaway from my island-circling adventure.”
Being a hiking leader requires stamina and responsibility
“One of my classmates is the leader of a hiking group and often invites me to serve as the sweep leader — the toughest job. Before posting any hiking invitations online, our group conducts on-site surveys of the routes. Most of the hikers we gather are freshmen and sophomores, some young professionals, and occasionally middle-aged people,” He Guangyuan told reporters. “The first thing we do after confirming the list is to buy insurance for everyone — safety is the top priority. Along the way, I try my best to take care of everyone, which is a big responsibility.”
As a hiking leader, he used weekends to hike in Anhui’s Baiji Mountain and Qingliang Peak, often taking paths not taken by regular tourists. Sometimes, to get through the forests, he had to push aside layers of bushes and trees, and occasionally even carry the backpacks of girls who couldn’t walk anymore. Along the way, he encountered snakes and centipedes. “On Baiji Mountain, I crossed through canyons, admired waterfalls, and jumped into pools to swim. The weather was hot, and the feeling of the waterfall splashing on me was indescribably beautiful,” He Guangyuan said. “In mid-November last year, I went to Qingliang Peak. The temperature difference between day and night on the mountain is huge. At night, we camped in the Wild Boar Forest, setting up tents and cooking over a fire. All my gear — pots, tents, down jackets, gas tanks, and more — was in my backpack, which weighed a full 30 kilograms.”
Adventure hiking is actually something anyone can do
“I’ve always loved exploring new places. Each adventure is driven by impulse and curiosity. Now, whenever I have time, I love biking to nearby cities or going hiking and camping,” He Guangyuan recently biked to Zhenjiang with friends and traveled to Tibet by train with his parents. “If I can, I’d like to bike with a group of friends to Fujian, Sichuan, and Yunnan.”
For He Guangyuan, adventure hiking has given him the chance to see different landscapes and cultures, and his healthy body, professional first aid knowledge, and athletic skills give him an edge in exploration.
“Actually, adventure hiking isn’t difficult, nor is it expensive. Anyone who has the idea should act on it promptly. If you truly want to do it, don’t hesitate. Everything carries risks, including adventure hiking, but without taking risks, you can’t experience the joy of the journey. I remember meeting an elderly man who rode alone for years. We exchanged a few words, and he told me he envied us — young people with such abundant energy, able to go wherever we want. He said when you’re young, you should do as much as you can of what you love, leaving no regrets. I’ve remembered those words.”
To students dreaming of going on adventures, He Guangyuan offers his advice: Safety comes first. Traveling with companions is a fun and safe way to go, and insurance is necessary when needed. It’s also important to learn some basic first aid knowledge. Second, before setting out, consult travel guides and plan your itinerary carefully. In terms of gear, try to travel light. If you’re cycling, choose your bike wisely and pick tires suitable for the road conditions. During the ride, you might feel like giving up, but push through that tough phase — once you’re past it, you’ll feel a great sense of accomplishment. “You’ll only know how exhilarating cycling adventures can be when you try it yourself.”