> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://www.alwihdainfo.com/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # German Writers Retrace the Historic Long March by Bicycle - URL: https://www.alwihdainfo.com/german-writers-retrace-the-historic-long-march-by-bicycle/ - Published: 2026-10-06T05:24:22.000Z - Updated: 2026-10-06T05:24:22.000Z - Description: Two German writers completed a 7,000-kilometer bicycle journey retracing China's historic Long March, aiming to bridge cultural understanding through firsthand travel experiences. - Author: Alwihda Info - Tags: English News **Par Liu He, People's Daily** The hall of the Chinese Cultural Center in Berlin was filled with anticipation as local residents arrived early to hear German writers Volker Haering and Christian Y. Schmidt share the story of their bicycle journey retracing the route of the Long March (1934-1936). The historic military maneuver by the Chinese Workers' and Peasants' Red Army remains a defining chapter in modern Chinese history. In 2023 and 2024, the two men set out from Ruijin, in east China's Jiangxi province. Cycling westward and then northward, they followed the path taken by the Central Red Army, eventually reaching Wuqi county in Yan'an, northwest China's Shaanxi province, after more than four months on the road. "If you don't understand the spirit of the Long March, you cannot truly understand China," Haering recalled hearing from a veteran Red Army soldier more than two decades ago. "From that moment on, I knew I had to make this journey myself." **Following in the footsteps of the Red Army** The pair began their public recounting at Jiajin Mountain in Sichuan province, known locally as the "Mountain of Death." In June 1935, the Central Red Army arrived at its foot—the first snow-covered mountain they encountered during the Long March. "As we climbed higher, the vegetation gradually disappeared. Steep cliffs stretched into the distance, and icy winds mixed with rain and snow cut through us," Haering recalled. Schmidt, then 67 years old, suffered severe altitude sickness and could continue only with medication. By the time the two cyclists reached the 4,114-meter pass, they were completely exhausted. "Ninety-one years ago, Red Army soldiers—wearing thin cotton uniforms and straw sandals while under enemy pursuit—crossed these snow-covered mountains over seven days and nights," Haering said. "We were riding electric bicycles and dressed in modern outdoor gear, yet we felt we had reached our physical limits." Schmidt agreed: "Only after experiencing it yourself can you truly understand how dangerous the snow mountains were, and only then can you fully appreciate the Red Army's resilience and courage." Haering first learned about the Long March at age 15 and spent decades reading extensively about its history. Driven by the question of what enables the spirit of the Long March to continuously inspire generations of Chinese people, Haering, at 54, embarked on the journey with his friend Schmidt. The nearly 7,000-kilometer trip proved far more than an adventure, testing both physical endurance and determination. During freezing nights, they often struggled to sleep. In western Sichuan province, bitter cold, strong headwinds, high altitudes, and continuous mountain roads made even downhill riding extremely difficult. In the latter half of the trip, their electric bicycles also suffered frequent mechanical failures. Haering told People's Daily that cycling the route helped him better understand the hardships endured by the Red Army while gaining a greater appreciation of China's decades-long transformation. **Encounters along the route** If the snow mountains, grasslands, and gorges revealed the harsh realities of the Long March, the people they met along the way showed them another side of China. "We're constantly invited to meals," Haering joked. As they cycled through China, once locals learned they were retracing the Long March, initial reserve quickly gave way to hospitality and respect. In a small-town restaurant, a group of curious children gathered around their table, eventually becoming patience-testing Chinese-language teachers helping them practice pronunciation. "The children's smiling faces remain among the most touching memories of the entire trip," Haering recalled. In Xichang, Sichuan province, an experienced bicycle shop owner surnamed Dai, who had run his business for over 30 years, replaced their chains and tires while offering practical advice. In Yan'an, an English-speaking local tour guide surnamed Li showed them numerous revolutionary heritage sites. **Sharing China's story through personal experience** "Meeting so many kind and genuine Chinese people was the greatest reward of the journey," Haering said. In October 2025, the two published the book \*Der lange Fahrrad-Marsch: 7.000 Kilometer durch das Reich der Mitte\* in Germany. Subsequent book-sharing events in Hamburg, Leipzig, Berlin, and other German cities drew crowds of readers lining up for authors' signatures. "Books and articles alone are not enough if you want to help Western audiences truly understand China. First-hand experience is essential," Haering said, noting that expanded visa-free entry policies have encouraged more overseas tourists and content creators to document China firsthand. "When people see China with their own eyes, they can form their own judgments." This trip was far from Haering's first effort to introduce China to Western audiences. Visiting first in the 1990s, he has since cycled over 60,000 kilometers across the country, leading numerous tours and earning the moniker of "China expert" among his friends. Crossing the Dadu River in Sichuan, Haering observed numerous newly built dams alongside elevated bridges and high-speed rail lines under construction. Infrastructure has improved tremendously, he noted, and digital technologies like mobile payments and electronic maps have deeply integrated into daily travel. Schmidt shared this view, recalling that traveling to remote plateau regions once involved arduous journeys, whereas expanding high-speed rail networks have made destinations vastly more accessible. Reflecting on the spirit of the Long March, Haering defined it as the strength of unity and unwavering commitment to a shared goal. "When people share the same purpose, work together, and pool their efforts toward a common goal, there is no obstacle that cannot be overcome," he concluded.