[Republic of Yemen] Al-Basha Dheya Alhaq Khaled Saleh Ali, Chang’an University
Seven years ago, I came to Xi’an from Yemen and started my brand-new life of studying abroad.
Seven years have passed, I am recalling what I have seen and heard here to share with you about my unforgettable journey (in China).
I come from Yemen, a beautiful Arab country. I have been in China for more than seven years. Now I have fallen love with this country, the scenery and the people here. In the past years, I have had many wonderful experiences, and the most unforgettable one is a motorcycle riding trip.
Tender is the Lantern Night of Chang’an
I have a lifelong hobby, that is, riding motorcycles. Before coming to China, I used to travel with my friends by motorcycle. After being in China, I continued adhering to it. In Xi’an, I joined a motorcycle club. Most of the members of the club are Chinese citizens. We often exchange ideas and discuss everything related to motorcycles together, which is the most colorful part of my spare time.
In the summer of 2018, we formed a cycling team to ride from Xi’an to Chengdu. The team consists of eight people, including two non – Chinese – a Russian friend and me. Our plan was to travel to Chengdu and return to Xi’an by motorcycle. I thought this is very significant and it would be definitely a great trip.
The night of Xi’an is very beautiful. The neon lights shining on the city tower and radiating from the houses are accompanied by the stars. It is easy for people to be addicted to such appealing scene. We made an appointment to set out the next morning. I was excited and nervous at the night before the departure.
Ripe Wheat under the Yellow Clouds
We set off and rode westward along the 108 National Highway until we arrived in Hanzhong where we rested for one night. On the next morning, we departed again for Chengdu. Both the weather and the road conditions were good.
Along the way the scenery was splendid with mountains and boundless forests, which are the natural beauty I had never seen in the city.
We passed through the Sibao, or “four treasures,” tourist area of Mount Qinling, where there are rare wild animals such as antelope and golden monkey (which are called “four treasures” together with Asian crested ibis and giant panda). We also tasted the most famous local hot rice noodle. It is wide and thin with soft and glutinous taste, quite different from the type in Xi’an.
On the next morning, we got up and found it raining. We decided to set off as planned after discussion as it didn’t rain that hard. Due to the rain and uphill all the way, we rode quite slowly. I like such challenge. That’s why I fancy motorcycling.
Mist-covered Green Water in the West of Jinjiang River
We finally arrived in Chengdu, capital of Sichuan Province after several hours’ riding. “Walking along the streets of Chengdu with me, no stopping even if all the lights are dimming,” with the lyrics of “Chengdu” resonating in my head, I roamed around the streets and lanes of Chengdu.
In the next few days, I enjoyed a lot of delicious food, such as hot pot, icy noodles, Dandan noodles and many other local flavors. For me who likes spicy flavor, Chengdu’s food is really “Bashi” (dialect of Sichuan, meaning delicious or comfortable). I also met my compatriots whom I haven’t seen for a long time. They invited me to their home and made a lot of Arabic food for me. At that moment, I felt as if I had returned home.
In addition to enjoying food, I also went to see giant panda, the most famous token in Chengdu. I visited the Giant Panda Breeding Research Base. It was the first time for me to see so many giant pandas, who are more lovely than those in the pictures I saw on the internet. The tour guide told me that there were only six giant pandas in the whole base at first but more than 200 now.
It has become the largest artificial breeding base of giant pandas in the world. The environmental and wildlife protection in China is getting better and better, which I admire a lot with respect. I understand more “clear waters and green mountains are as valuable as mountains of gold and silver”.
How Reluctant to See You off for Qinchuan
After a short stay for a few days, the trip to Chengdu came to an end. We set out again for returning to Xi’an. This cycling trip has thus become my most unforgettable experience in China. Because of the epidemic, I haven’t traveled for more than two years. I would like to look for greenness in deserts, to go back to the “Silk Road.” I dream to visit Shangri La and “the Remotest Corners of the Globe.” I also want to challenge the Sichuan-Tibet Highway and enjoy more beautiful scenery.
My story is over. In the future, I will continue to witness the charm of Xi’an by going around this 800-li (500 meters) Qinchuan (Guanzhong Basin). I do hope that the epidemic will end soon so that I can carry on my cycling journey and experiencing the beauty of China.
The story is from "My Beautiful Encounter with China" Essay Competition organized by the Chinese Service Center for Scholarly Exchanges (CSCSE).
