French hiker Benjamin Humblot Photo: Lu Ting/GT

Seven pairs of worn-out hiking boots, 12,500 kilometers, and more than 500 days on road, a trek spanning 16 countries, two French hikers stepped onto the Bund in Shanghai. 

"We wanted to go back in nature, meet people, discover a new culture, all this mix of feelings made us leave from our previous life," one of the French hiking duo told the Global Times in Shanghai on Tuesday. 

Over a span of one year and five months, from September 7, 2024, to February 7, 2026, 27-year-old Benjamin Humblot and 26-year-old Loïc Voisot embarked on a remarkable trek across continents. Their journey took them over the towering Alps, through the Balkan Peninsula, across Turkey's dense forests, and across the vast steppes and deserts of Central Asia. 

They started their journey from France, then to Switzerland, Italy, Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia, Serbia, Bulgaria, Greece, Turkey, Georgia, Russia, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, to China, Humblot told the Global Times. Entering China through the northwest last September, the duo continued eastward, covering an impressive 45 kilometers a day on foot. Along the way, they wore out seven pairs of hiking shoes, a testament to the grueling scale of their expedition. Their adventure has recently captured widespread attention on Chinese social media, with many netizens accompanying them on the final 10 kilometers as they reached Shanghai.

In interview with the Global Times, Humblot said the journey has given him a profound appreciation for cultural diversity, constantly reshaping his perception of China. The unique charm of different provinces, the contrasts between rural and urban areas, the wide variety of cuisines, and the warmth and hospitality of the people all deeply captivated him. 

During the interview, Humblot shared with the Global Times that before arriving in China, the two hikers knew little about life in China, but their journey through non-touristy areas gave them a deep, authentic look at locals' daily life. They discovered that many Chinese young people share a love for outdoor activities and nature, and dream of hiking or cycling across China or even to Europe. This shared passion for adventure and the outdoors surprised them, as they hadn't expected such common interests with young people in China.

Humblot was a computer scientist and Voisot worked as an environmental consultant before they decided to quit their jobs and undertake the cross-continental hike. According to Humblot, he and Voisot had been working in Paris for three years, and they thought they had lost a bit of connection to nature and to other people by living in a big city. 

Humblot said they chose Shanghai as the final destination of their eastward journey from France, because Shanghai is the farthest point they could reach, before they encounter the ocean and because they were motivated by curiosity about Chinese culture. 

And they chose not to travel by plane because they are "both conscious of climate change, and the responsibility humans bear for it," French media French 24 quoted Voisot as saying.

They spent nine months preparing for their journey, researching visa policies and purchasing equipment. Their backpacks, each weighing around 7 kilograms, were packed with clothes, camping gear, cooking equipment, medicine, and electronics. An outdoor gear company from their hometown provided them with essential equipment, while they also set up an online platform for public donations, Humblot told the Global Times.

French hiker Benjamin Humblot with children in Kazakhstan Photo: Courtesy of Benjamin Humblot

Traversing Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region and Gansu Province proved to be one of the most challenging parts of their journey due to the vast, barren landscapes they encountered. The remoteness of the regions, with few villages or cities, made it difficult to secure enough food and water. As winter approached, the harsh conditions intensified, with temperatures dropping to as low as -20 C in Gansu, Humblot said.

After arriving in Shanghai, they shared their story with the Global Times. The Bund - a symbol of Shanghai's skyline - stood out as their most iconic first sight. For them, reaching this landmark was an emotional moment, akin to stepping into a postcard of the city. 

French hiker Benjamin Humblot with a fan of him in Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region Photo: Courtesy of Benjamin Humblot

The two hikers' journey was made significantly easier thanks to the kindness of people they met along the way. In China, they received assistance from strangers who offered food and water. On several occasions, generous individuals even paid for their hotel stays, while others invited them to restaurants. 

On September 13, 2025, they entered China through Khorgas city in the Ili Kazak Autonomous Prefecture of Xinjiang. Since then, they were thrilled to experience the country's diverse cuisine. They discovered xiaolongbao, a small bamboo-steamer bun, savoring the regional variations from Shanghai to Xi'an in Northwest China's Shaanxi Province, and enjoying the subtle differences in each. 

During the interview, Humblot said they found the transition between French and Chinese cultures remarkably smooth, largely due to their gradual journey through neighboring countries. They also noted the rapid evolution of China, visible in its expanding infrastructure - bridges, highways, and ever-growing cities - which reflected the country's increasing strength. One striking contrast they observed was the blend of modernity and tradition in Chinese cities, where towering skyscrapers and vibrant lights coexist alongside ancient buildings, creating a unique, dynamic atmosphere not seen in France. 

Humblot reflected that their journey taught them how to tackle seemingly impossible goals. Walking to China initially felt overwhelming due to countless unknowns, but they discovered that taking the first step reveals the path forward. They see this lesson as universal: whether changing careers or moving to another country, daunting challenges become manageable when approached step by step. 

"And second one is just the things that we fear. The most is just a thing that we don't know. You have to learn to go on site, see things, talk to people, and then everything would be okay," Humblot told the Global Times. 

Upon arriving in Shanghai, with the Bund marking the end of their walk and the ocean ahead, they are now contemplating continuing their journey by sea. They envision taking a boat to the US, walking from San Francisco to New York, and then returning to France by boat, completing a world tour. 

"We are really thinking about doing the world tour now because we love so much this experience of measuring the world with our foot," he said.