Inspirational Chinese Grandmother Cycles Through 12 Countries After 50
At 66 years old, a Chinese grandmother named Li Dongju is proving that age is just a number. Starting her solo cycling journey in her 50s, she has already pedaled her way through 12 countries across three continents, inspiring countless people around the world.
Li speaks only Mandarin, but that hasn’t stopped her from exploring the globe. With the help of translation apps, she’s been able to communicate with locals and navigate her travels. Often camping in parks, gas stations, and on roadsides, she travels on a tight budget, showing that adventure doesn’t require luxury—just determination.
Her cycling journey began as a way to heal. After going through a painful divorce in 2005, Li suffered from depression for nearly a decade. “Before cycling, I felt like a frog in a well—trapped and helpless. Now I’m free and fearless,” she said.
In 2015, she cycled through 20 cities in China. By 2017, she had ventured into Southeast Asia, including Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand, and Myanmar. In 2019, her passion took her to Europe and Australia, riding through six European countries before heading Down Under.
Despite language barriers and financial limitations, she describes her travels as life-changing. “Traveling is like a drug. Once you try it, you can’t stop,” she says with a smile. Her next goal? A cycling route from Kazakhstan to the United Arab Emirates, aiming to visit at least 100 countries.
This Chinese grandmother’s journey reminds us all that it’s never too late to chase freedom, joy, and new horizons. With every mile she rides, she pedals hope and courage into the hearts of many.
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