Chinese man cycles 4,400 km in 100 days to win back estranged wife

The man cycled for 4,400 km to meet his estranged wife. (Representational)

A Chinese man’s extraordinary 4,400-km cycling journey over 100 days to reconcile with his estranged wife has sparked both admiration and criticism online.

Zhou, a man in his 40s from Lianyungang, Jiangsu province, set off from Nanjing on July 28, fuelled by his determination to mend his two-year separation from his wife, Li. Their relationship, a tale of breakups and reconciliations since their first marriage in 2007, seemed headed for closure until Zhou took on this monumental challenge.

“There wasn’t a serious issue between us; we’re just both very stubborn and acted impulsively, leading to several break-ups and reconciliations,” Zhou admitted, speaking to Yangtse Evening Post.

The journey was not without peril. Zhou suffered two incidents of heatstroke—once in Anhui province, requiring hospitalisation, and again in Yichang, Hubei province, where he collapsed on the road amid 40-degree heat, dehydrated and exhausted. Li, moved by his efforts, drove hundreds of kilometers to care for him.

“I see your sincerity. If you truly want to be together, there’s no need to risk your life,” Li reportedly told Zhou, urging him to abandon the trip. But Zhou, undeterred, pushed on to fulfill his promise.

The reconciliation story gained unexpected traction on Chinese social media, with many questioning whether such dramatic gestures are necessary for love. Some praised Zhou’s determination, while others criticised the risk to his health and what they viewed as an imbalance in their relationship dynamics.

Their journey took another twist when Li experienced altitude sickness in Nyingchi, 400 kilometers from Lhasa. Zhou immediately rushed to her aid, a gesture Li described as “touching.” They completed the trip together, arriving in Lhasa on October 28, where they held a small ceremony to mark their reunion.

“I jokingly said I was driving to Lhasa and that if he could ride a bike there, I might consider reconciling,” Li revealed. “Honestly, I didn’t expect him to actually do it.”

Despite the reunion, Zhou has chosen to continue his cycling adventure, planning trips to Nepal and Europe. “I did not return with her because I plan to continue cycling. Next stop: Nepal,” Zhou said. Li, meanwhile, has returned to Jiangsu, hinting that she might join him later.

With over 3.6 million divorces recorded last year, the country faces a rising divorce rate of 2.6 per 1,000 people. The government’s introduction of a 30-day “cooling-off” period in 2021 aims to reduce impulsive divorces, though critics argue it places undue stress on couples already struggling.