As dawn breaks or evening falls on the rural roads of Heilongjiang, cyclists often glide peacefully along winding paths—one person, one bike, moving toward the distant horizon. In these moments, the world seems to quiet down, leaving only the whisper of birds and the warm brush of wind against their faces.
Heilongjiang is now a national leader in amateur cycling events, hosting nearly 20 races each year. Standouts include the China Tahe National Forest Cycling Race, the Heilongjiang Snow Bike Race (named a National Sports Industry Demonstration Project in 2020), the Tour of Heilongjiang, the China-Russia Cycling League, and the Nianzishan National Mountain Bike Race.
One Man, One Bike, Twice to Tibet
At 67 years old, Zhu Jinli is a legend in the local cycling community. He’s made two solo trips to Tibet, logging 14,000 kilometers, and cycled from Harbin to Sanya four times. When asked why, he smiles: “I just wanted to challenge myself.”
Zhu has always been active and loved cycling, but a 2005 accident left him with a severe spinal injury. Doctors warned he might never walk again. But Zhu refused to give up. Slowly, painfully, he learned to move with crutches, then a tricycle. He relearned how to ride—often falling, always pushing.
“I will stand. I can do it,” he told himself.
In 2013, he set off from Sanya toward Tibet via the Yunnan-Tibet route—a 5,000-kilometer journey that took nearly three months. He rode steadily, acclimating to the rhythm of the road, soaking in views of snow-capped mountains, jewel-like lakes, and endless blue skies.
When he reached the summit of Zheduo Mountain—4,298 meters above sea level—he looked down at the guesthouse where he’d stayed the night before and felt an overwhelming sense of accomplishment.
“Only those who ride this road understand its beauty—and its unpredictability,” Zhu says. On high mountain passes, sunshine can turn to thick fog in moments. But it’s all part of the journey.
