Taking the high road to adventure

Young people are heading to Tibet to challenge themselves and find new ways of looking at life.Yang Zekun reports.

In September, Zhang Qinghong set out to walk 20 kilometers a day to reach Lhasa, capital of the Tibet autonomous region－a journey of 2,900 kilometers.

Wearing a prosthetic leg and pushing an 80-kilogram two-wheeled cart, he slept in a tent, cooked for himself and regarded the trek as a personal challenge.

In recent years, many people have walked or cycled to the region, which they regard as a place of spiritual sanctuary. They believe that the experience of visiting Tibet provides a form of self－awakening.

Having visited before, Zhang knew he faced the challenges of altitude sickness and rapid changes of weather on the high plateau, but he also knew that he would enjoy the scenery.

Then age 21, the native of Honghe Hani and Yi autonomous prefecture in the southwestern province of Yunnan started his trip from his hometown along with a friend.

In November, Zhang was forced to abandon his trek along National Highway 318 as cold weather and health issues meant he was unable to continue the trip, which he had hoped to complete in seven months.