Backpacking with 84-year-old mom to Tibet

A backpacking excursion involving a son and his 84-year old mother through Tibet is gaining significant attention on the internet in China.

Song Jianhui and his 84-year-old mom pause to take a photo on their way to Tibet. [Photo: qq.com]

Over the course of 17 days, 54-year-old Song Jianhui and his mom traveled 5,000 kilometers on a motorcycle, passing through ten cities and counties, including Jiajiang and Ya'an, with Lhasa as their final destination, reports the Chengdu Commercial Daily. 

Making a living by repairing cars, Song Jianhui is an outdoor enthusiast.

He says while his mother had already travelled extensively, Tibet had always been on her list of places she wanted to see.

A photo of the 84-year-old woman on a motorcycle trip to Tibet. [Photo: qq.com]

Of course the internet being how it is, news of the trip has generated a variety of reactions.

While many have praised Song Jianhui for his devotion to his mother, others argue that it was dangerous to take an elderly person to Tibet due to the risk of altitude sickness.

"Before we set off for the journey, my mom took medication to prevent acute altitude stress syndrome. If she showed any signs of altitude sickness, I would have certainly turned back. I wanted her to live her dream, but I wasn't willing to put her health in danger," explains Song Jianhui.

He says when they travelled through two mountain passes along National Highway 318, the Sichuan-Tibet Highway, instead of showing any discomfort at 5,000 meters above sea level, Song says his mother was disappointed, saying she thought the mountains would have been higher.

Song Jianhui and his 84-year-old mother are photographed at the Potala Palace in Tibet's regional capital, Lhasa. [Photo: qq.com]

The trek itself also drew significant attention, with fellow motorcycle travelers stunned by an 84-year old woman making the trip. Song says many wanted to pose for photos with her, and also gave her food and small souvenirs.

"I brought her to Tibet to help her realize her dream, not to try to challenge her with the altitude," said Song Jianhui.