Zhu Runsheng, a teacher from Datong city, Shanxi province, arrived at Urumqi, the capital city of the Xinjiang autonomous region at 8 pm, July 29. The arrival marked the end of a 3,444-kilometer bike ride that took 23 days.

This is Zhu's second long-distance bicycle ride. In the summer of 2011, Zhu spent 31 days biking 4,413 kilometers from Datong to Tibet.

At the beginning of 2012, Zhu watched a promo video about Xinjiang and became fascinated with its landscapes and customs. He began planning his bike tour afterwards. His school was out for holiday beginning July 5, so he set off on his journey the very next day.

Zhu has faced many difficulties due to heavy rainfall, thirst and heat on the road. The bicycle tires blew out 12 times, which Zhu considered his most desperate moments. "My main worry was that the tires would blow at 'no man's land', which would probably affect the trip ahead," he said.

Upon arriving in Xinjiang, he was deeply moved by the hospitality of the local people. A traffic policeman in Turpan gave all his water to Zhu after hearing his story. Another five residents in Urumqi invited him to enjoy a local barbecue.

Zhu is 45 years old and he fell in love with bicycle touring two years ago. At first he just participated in activities organized by the Datong Bicycle Tour Club. Gradually he began his own bike tours because he loved the feeling of the road so much.

By Li Xiaonan