At the age of 66, Li Dongju from China transformed his life by embarking on a global cycling tour. Starting in his late 50s, he traveled solo through 12 countries across three continents, claiming that his long journeys made him feel liberated, fearless, and independent.

BATTLING DEPRESSION: As reported by CNN, Li experienced depression after his divorce in 2005, which he ultimately overcame by setting off on a solo cycling adventure. “Before starting to travel by bike, I was largely dependent on others. I felt like a frog stuck in a well. Now, I am a wild wolf, I am free, fearless, and independent,” he said.

FINANCIAL HARDSHIPS AND FIRST STEPS: After being laid off from a state-owned textile factory in 2002, Li began to rely on a monthly retirement pension of 3,000 yuan (approximately 15,800 TL). In order to begin his cycling journey, he first purchased a helmet and was later gifted a foldable mountain bike by his son. Initially dreaming of going to Tibet, known as the “roof of the world,” Li faced economic challenges and worked as a cleaner for a year to save up money.

After accumulating the necessary funds for his desired trip to Southeast Asia, he set out on the road with two experienced cyclists he met online. To get used to traveling by bike, in 2015, Li completed a long journey from Hainan in the southeast of China to Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region in the west. His journey was accompanied by his canine companion, a poodle named Chili. This experience made him realize he was ready for even longer trips.

NEW GOAL: 100 COUNTRIES: In 2019, Li cycled through six countries in Europe and assisted in fire prevention efforts in Australia. Despite encountering negative experiences during his travels, he remains determined to achieve his goal: “My aim is to visit at least 100 countries. Travel is like a drug, once you taste it, you can’t stop.”

In recent years, due to the decline and aging of the population in China, the government is planning to establish a comprehensive tourist train network by 2027 to ensure that elderly individuals can travel more comfortably. Li’s adventures, as part of this growing group of “silver travelers,” showcase the interest of older individuals in travel. Li’s travels not only changed his life, but also increased the travel aspirations of elderly individuals around the world.