When Yuan Jianglei graduated from college in 2014 in southwest China with a degree in broadcast journalism, he decided to go to the West African country of Benin to be a volunteer teacher. 

After two years teaching Chinese at Confucius Institute in Benin, one of the most underdeveloped countries in Africa, he made another big decision: to return home to China on a bicycle. 

Sea merchants in Senegal. /‍Photo courtesy of Yuan Jianglei

In September 2016, he set out on the journey, a journey that would span 16,000 kilometers across 16 countries, in 360 days.

“It was an easy decision for me,” said Yuan, 27, “because I wanted to see the world, to live the story and to tell my own story.”  

Yuan Jianglei taking the ore train in Mauritania. /‍Photo courtesy of Yuan Jianglei

He got just what he set out to experience - stunning natural beauty and friendly people. But it hasn’t been an easy journey. There were several times on the road when he questioned what he was doing, especially when cycling through rough terrain.

When he was cycling in Mauritania, he had only three days left before his visa expired. So he had no option but to take the iron ore train and stay overnight in the open air. 

The second day when he woke up and realized his face was covered with dust, he wondered if it was all worth it. 

The Armenian Monastic Ensembles of Iran. /‍Photo courtesy of Yuan Jianglei

“But, to be honest, this thought just lasted for 10 seconds. When I recalled that memory of staying under the stars, the experience was quite unique,” he recalled.

Yuan said during his journey countless local people helped him along the way. Even though sometimes they didn’t speak French or English, there was no problem communicating with smiles or simple greetings.

Camping in Cappadocia. /Photo courtesy of Yuan Jianglei

“When I was cycling in Burkina Faso, I got serious malaria. The locals helped me and drove me with a motorcycle to the hospital. That’s how I recovered in just four hours’ time.”

Yuan plans to return to Benin after the Spring Festival to bring back the donations he raised. With the money, he is planning to help install solar power stations and water wells for local communities.

In front of the Kalan Mosque in Bukhara, Uzbekistan. /Photo courtesy of Yuan Jianglei