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Chinese man, 90, cycles across country after tragic losses of wife, son, daughter-in-law, grandson

After losing his entire family, a 90-year-old from central China took to the road on a decades-long cycling odyssey in search of solace.
The sprightly Zhang…

By Samantha Johnson / April 5, 2026

After losing his entire family, a 90-year-old from central China took to the road on a decades-long cycling odyssey in search of solace.

The sprightly Zhang Zhongyi, from Kaifeng in Henan province, remains sharp-witted, articulate and quick to smile.

His story gained nationwide attention after Bai Xiaobai, a woman who encountered him in Putian, southeastern China’s Fujian province, stopped to help push his tricycle.

A smiling Zhang Zhongyi, above, on the road riding his trusty tricycle. Photo: Baidu
A smiling Zhang Zhongyi, above, on the road riding his trusty tricycle. Photo: Baidu

As they spoke, Zhang recounted the tragedy that had reshaped his life.

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In the 1990s, Zhang’s son, daughter-in-law and eight-year-old grandson were killed in a car crash. His wife, consumed by grief, died of illness the following year.

After losing his family within two years, Zhang left home and drifted into a life on the road.

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His bicycle eventually gave way to a tricycle and over nearly three decades he followed highways across mountains, lakes, deserts and cities.

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