Beyond the Long March! China's Most Sentimental Road Trip – 100 Days, Over 30,000 Kilometers, a Must-Drive Journey of a Lifetime!

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From July to October 2021, I participated in the Zouba Net’s Third Grand Tour of China’s Borderline Dream Journey, a self-driving adventure. What does it mean to drive around China's borderline? In simple terms: driving from Shanghai, following China's land border roads in a counterclockwise direction, and finally returning to Shanghai. The journey took 100 days and covered 35,000 kilometers, completing a full circle around China's border.

Without exaggeration, this was an epic self-driving journey—an unforgettable experience that stirred my soul and left me reminiscing for years. Participants who completed the entire route were honored with the title "Borderline Driving Warriors" and received certificates from the organizers. I believe this title is well deserved.

After the journey ended, team members returned to their daily lives, and everything seemed to calm down once again. Time flies, and three years have passed. Even now, I often find myself reflecting on this extraordinary adventure, reliving the countless breathtaking scenes of our journey. The experience is still vivid in my mind as if it happened just yesterday. Three years ago, when I bid farewell to my teammates, I said:
"The hundred-day drive along China’s borderline is a journey of hardships and glory—one that will take hundreds of days, years, or even a lifetime to fully process and cherish!"

My Time, My Choices; My Passion, My Actions

"Life at sixty, but the heart remains young."

In October 2020, I turned 60 and retired after 40 years of professional life.

Before retirement, I spent 28 years working at the Shanghai Stock Exchange, China’s first modern securities market, witnessing many significant moments in the development of China’s capital market. I also participated in the establishment of the China Securities Museum, contributing to the preservation and promotion of China’s financial history.

After retirement, I took control of my own time and pursued my passions. To dedicate my limited post-retirement time to things I love and can accomplish—this was my unshakable decision.

So, when I heard about the Zouba Net’s Third Grand Tour of China’s Borderline Dream Journey in 2021, I signed up without hesitation. Interestingly, this self-driving adventure was specially designed to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party of China, honoring our great nation by measuring its borderline with our wheels and showcasing our determination through action.

On July 1, 2021, the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party of China, our journey officially began. Both the starting and ending points were set in Shanghai, and our self-driving team departed from the Site of the First National Congress of the Communist Party of China. Over the next 100 days, we covered 35,000 kilometers, following the G228, G331, and G219 national highways, circling China’s borderline before returning to Shanghai in one grand journey.

I called this an "epic self-driving expedition and an ultimate driving challenge."

At the departure ceremony, more than ten off-road vehicles stood in formation, their engines roaring powerfully. Over thirty enthusiastic participants were fully geared up, ready to embark on this once-in-a-lifetime journey. The vast and treacherous roads ahead would test the willpower of these "Borderline Driving Warriors" and witness their unwavering determination.

It was a moment of excitement, awe, and boundless imagination!

Driving Along China’s Borderline—A Tribute to Our Beautiful Homeland

From childhood, we gradually learned what China is, what it means to be Chinese, and where China is located on the map. We knew that within this vast land of 9.6 million square kilometers, generations of black-haired, yellow-skinned Chinese people thrived.

As we grew older, we understood what national highways and expressways were. We learned about China’s most breathtaking scenic road—National Highway G318, which starts right in Shanghai. However, before this journey, I had no idea that three major highways (G228, G331, and G219) encircle China’s entire land border.

On July 1, 2021, our team of 36 people and 18 vehicles gathered at the Site of the First National Congress of the Communist Party of China in Shanghai’s Xintiandi district. We embarked on our 100-day, 35,000-kilometer journey around China’s border!

I vividly remember the moment we set off. Our car radios were broadcasting live coverage of the grand celebration at Tiananmen Square in Beijing, marking the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party of China.

A century ago, the Communist Party of China was born from hardship, growing from weak to strong, and ultimately achieving unprecedented greatness.

A century later, we were setting out on a journey around China’s borders—a journey of faith, action, and tribute to our great nation and the party.

I felt incredibly fortunate and honored to be part of this historic moment. I silently vowed to endure whatever hardships the journey might bring and to complete this ultimate challenge of driving around China’s borderline.

The Three Highways that Encircle China

Before this journey, I had traveled to many famous tourist destinations across China. However, China’s border regions were a complete mystery to me.

The three major national highways that form the borderline loop are:

  • G228 National Highway: From Dongxing, Guangxi, to Dandong, Liaoning, spanning 7,800 km—known as China’s Most Beautiful Coastal Highway.
  • G331 National Highway: From Dandong, Liaoning, to Kanas, Xinjiang, covering 9,300 km—known as China’s Most Beautiful Northeast Border Road.
  • G219 National Highway: From Kanas, Xinjiang, to Dongxing, Guangxi, stretching 10,065 km—known as China’s Highest and Longest Border Road.

Together, these three highways form a tight embrace around China’s land territory.

Following this route, our Zouba Net Third Grand Tour of China’s Borderline Dream Journey team embarked on an unforgettable adventure.

On October 8, 2021, after 100 days of challenges and breathtaking sights, we safely returned to Shanghai, fulfilling our dream of self-driving around China’s border.

Upon returning, we were awarded medals and certificates by the organizers, recognizing us as "Borderline Driving Warriors." This was one of the greatest honors of my life!

Back home, I proudly placed my medal and certificate in a prominent spot—a constant reminder of this once-in-a-lifetime adventure.

Honoring National Borders, Ports, Landmarks, and Soldiers

One of the most significant aspects of this journey was visiting China’s numerous national borders, ports, and boundary markers. Many of us had never seen these before, nor fully understood their sacred importance to our country.

One of my most profound moments came at the Yalu River Broken Bridge in Dandong, Liaoning. We visited the museum dedicated to the War to Resist U.S. Aggression and Aid Korea, witnessing firsthand the devastation left by war. Moved by emotion, our team stood on the broken bridge and sang "The Song of the Chinese People’s Volunteer Army" to honor history.

Throughout the journey, we visited and paid tribute to numerous border crossings, ports, and monuments, including...