A file photo of a Teng Fei-ta, a Belgium-born Taiwanese national who cycled from Europe to China via the old Silk Road. (Photo : Want China Times)
Taiwanese national Teng Fei-ta made headlines in China on Sept. 23 after arriving in Badaling, Beijing, to complete a more-than-seven-month cycling tour along the ancient Silk Road made famous by Italian explorer Marco Polo in the 13th century.
In an interview with the Want China Times newspaper, the 24-year-old Teng said that he was awestruck by the cultural differences he experienced by cycling across the 18 countries which the ancient trading route passed through.
Teng, who was born in Belgium but raised in Taipei, began his journey after finishing his graduate studies in Belgium and set out along with a classmate in March. The two split ways in Kyrgyzstan, where Teng started the solo leg of his journey with the goal of reaching Beijing, where his father works.
According to Teng, the shifts in local culture while traveling the length of the Silk Road had left a great impression.
"From places where people eat bread to where people eat rice; from Protestant Christianity to the Orthodox tradition," he said. "Each day riding was a fresh new start."
Teng said that the most challenging portion of his travels was a section in Kyrgyzstan, which cut through a remote mountainous area.
"I ran out of food and water very quickly," Teng said, adding that he was fortunate to have met generous locals who offered him supplies.
Teng is set to ride from Badaling, an old outpost on the Great Wall, to the Bird's Nest stadium in Beijing on Thursday.
He said he intends to return to Taiwan and tour the island when he has the chance.
"But for now, all I want to do is to take a good rest," he said.
