A note about the travel to Sichuan and Tibet: A journey for proving bravity

Where did you go during the May Day holiday? Nothing could prevent you from seeking for freedom. We are determined to appreciate the magnificent sceneries nationwide, regardless of the long distances and hardships in the process.

But for HUANG FEI HONG, who likes challenging and experiencing something extreme and different, he would never choose conventional destinations. Guess where we travelled?

We travel by foot and decide to fully experience the whole route of Sichuan – Tibet step by step. The straight-line distance from Chengdu to Lhasa is shorter than 2,000kilometers once observed from the map but during the trip…

There are 14 high mountains with an altitude above 4,000m in the whole trip and the altitude difference is above 4,000m at most. Travelers need to bear the altitude stress ascribed to the lack of oxygen and unexpected snowstorm… This fits those that depart with no delay like us.

With great passion, HUANG FEI HONG started the self-driving tour to the route of Sichan - Tibet fancied by every brave man at the beginning of this summer. On the trip, we encountered many “absolutely brave” travelers like HUANG FEI HONG.

All cyclists along the route of Sichuan – Tibet are brave. The two men have accumulated full fighting spirit and enjoyed themselves during their first cycling along the route of Sichuan – Tibet. They were bold to go downhill the Haizi Mountain at night with a flashlight alone: The man in front cycled based on the light from the flashlight held by the other behind him. They cycled so quickly that they didn't notice the stone ahead. Finally they run out of the bike and nearly died. The bike was also damaged seriously. Snow riding, landslides, falling rocks, attack by wild animals…all these incidents frequently occur in the route of Sichuan – Tibet. They met all of the incidents above.

The man said that he would start working after this trip and this trip might be his last pleasant travel before getting involved in a busy working schedule. He was so passionate that he would enjoy this trip with heart and soul. Nothing is impossible as long as you put your mind to it. “Braveness means doing anything you like during your travel.” @The courageous man.

Compared with the two “hurried” men, we also encountered a “steady” cyclist in Shangri-La. Although he drove to Tibet for several times, this is his first time cycling here. He was very familiar with the route of Sichuan and Tibet. The man is very open-minded. He still got involved in an incident, regardless of his full preparations before departure. It was already at dusk when he arrived at Gedan Town, but he still tried cycling uphill before taking a rest. However, the temperature suddenly dropped to -5℃ when he reached the highest bealock (4,224m). Although he had already run out of his energy after cycling for more than 100 kilometers in the daytime, he had to cycle for another 15li (a Chinese unit of length) before finding a place to rest at night. When recollecting the special experience, the man said it was an extremely fearful experience. Luckily he didn't cycle at full split but reserved certain physical strength. He might meet a hopeless situation, if the place of rest is farer from him.

After experiencing hiking, he gained clearer understandings on “life” and changed some of his ideas: Braveness is not about “irrational and impetuous actions” but the decisions made after fully self-assessment and the realities. “Unprepared actions” do not mean braveness but rudeness. “We can compare endurance with the young. They are stronger and more energetic than us and could go faster. However, we need to save physical strength after full self-assessment in order to cycle longer and father.” @Sober man

After appreciating the marvelous and legendary scenery of “mountains glittering with sunshine”, we were destined to encounter a fellow from Yantai. As a hiking aficionado, the man decided to finish the whole journey in 2 months. We met him on his 31st day of the travel and he would arrive at Lhasa in about 1 month. He had a peaceful mind, which may be related to his rich experience of hiking. The man told us that he changed a lot after hiking. He had been anxious and always thought too much but after hiking, he could calm down in the inner mind. Hiking is indeed uneasy, because in the process you would encounter many hardships, such as fatigue, pressure, unexpected circumstances, etc. You would be easily freaked out all the time. It really exercised your persistence and willingness.

After traveling to many different places and experiencing many “unexpected incidents”, the man has seemingly been used to everything happening. Then he found he was no longer as anxious as previously when having some troubles, because all these difficulties he experienced have already made him more confident and brave. “Never be afraid of getting started again. Please go ahead bravely. Take a rest, if feeling tired. Go step by step and you will reach your destination anyway.”@ The man from Yantai.

We encountered many people, including a 63-year-old man cycling alone, a group of college students who gathered together for the last time before their graduation this year, two comrades who were determined to realize their dream within their twenties, a man setting his mind to traveling the whole country by riding a tricycle…

They share not only the ambition of going for their dreams but also the “conservative” thinking based on the clear self-awareness. They also have the great mind of traveling all over the world and the peaceful attitude towards life after certain experience. The connotation of “brave” may be best interpreted by the action of sticking to your dreams with your own way.

Similarly, the travel to Sichuan and Tibet brings us a chance to enrich our horizon. Just as a man from Yantai said, “go ahead bravely, whatever the distance. You can cycle if you don't have enough energy for walking or walk slowly if you don't have enough energy for cycling. You’ll arrive at the destination anyway!” Get started bravely and you will realize your dream sooner or later, as long as you set your mind to it!