codoon maniac walking tour of china determined to travel the world
On March 3, 2015, he set off from Shanghai and walked to Lhasa! It took him 165 days and covered 4,700 kilometers. Even though his shoes wore out and his feet got injured, he kept moving forward! And in early September, he will embark on a new journey!
When we first contacted @Jiang Hai - Walk the World, it was because the editor needed some information from him. However, he said he was a wanderer with no fixed address. This wandering lifestyle instantly reminded the editor of ancient martial arts heroes. Admiration surged like a mighty river. Hero, may I ask which school you belong to? The wandering hero, Jiang Hai!
In March this year, the wandering hero began his journey, walking from Shanghai to Lhasa. Speaking of this March's walking trip, Jiang Hai has many reflections. Due to his love for walking, he resigned from his job as a senior product manager, packed his bags, and set off from Shanghai to Lhasa, taking 165 days and covering 4,700 kilometers.
But walking is not as simple as it seems. A hero's journey through the world requires enduring countless hardships.
He walked alone, often going days without encountering another person in desolate areas. It was a test of endurance and physical strength, carrying over 80 pounds of supplies on a long trek. He faced ridicule, with people calling him crazy for walking to Tibet. It was also a spiritual journey, meeting various people and encountering all sorts of strange events along the way!
March 3, Day 1 of walking from Shanghai to Lhasa: Setting off towards the distance!
March 8, Day 6 of walking from Shanghai to Lhasa: It rained again today. It hasn't been sunny even once in all these days. I asked a man for directions, telling him I was walking to Yuhang. He was unmoved and called me crazy behind my back. I was secretly glad I didn't tell him I was walking to Tibet; otherwise, the consequences would have been unimaginable.
March 17, Day 15 of walking from Shanghai to Lhasa: Today, I met a young man from the 90s generation who was biking from Hangzhou to Huangshan, covering 150 kilometers a day. I only walk 20 kilometers a day, and my body feels heavier each day. Even after a night's rest, I still wake up with back pain, leg pain, and sore fingers, as if I haven't rested at all. To make matters worse, summer is approaching. Walking is indeed not tourism but a form of spiritual practice.
April 8, Day 35 of walking from Shanghai to Lhasa: I set off at 8 AM, planning to walk 30 kilometers to the Dadeshankeyun Station area to find a hotel. But when I arrived, there were no hotels. The nearest one was in Huayuan Township, 10 kilometers away. To test my willpower, I decided to keep going. Those 10 kilometers were tough; I had finished my food at noon and was exhausted and hungry. The road was difficult, and I felt both hot and cold. It was a struggle.
May 12, Day 71 of walking from Shanghai to Lhasa: (Baitao Town, Fuling District, Chongqing) Today, I walked 41 kilometers. By evening, my left ankle hurt so much that I could barely stand. It seems an old injury has flared up. I don't know if I can walk tomorrow!
June 10, Day 99 of walking from Shanghai to Lhasa: (Kangding County) Today was a tough day. I set off at 5:10 AM, carrying 46 pounds, and walked 44 kilometers, crossing the 4,298-meter-high Zheduo Mountain. I finally experienced altitude sickness—shortness of breath, dizziness, palpitations, and nausea.
July 31, Day 150 of walking from Shanghai to Lhasa: (Sejila Mountain) Today, I walked 29 kilometers. To challenge myself, I trekked through a primeval forest with a heavy load. The rain last night made the ground soft and slippery, making the journey extremely difficult and dangerous. Seeing the road was a fantastic feeling.
August 15, Day 165 of walking from Shanghai to Lhasa: Finally arrived in Lhasa. All glory to God.
Walking the world is Jiang Hai's dream, so his journey does not end. On September 13, he began a new walking trip. This time, the journey will be longer and farther, truly covering the entire China! Codoon friends who want to follow his latest journey can check out Jiang Hai's live posts on Codoon!