{"id":644538,"date":"2026-05-02T08:33:14","date_gmt":"2026-05-02T08:33:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/644538\/"},"modified":"2026-05-02T08:33:14","modified_gmt":"2026-05-02T08:33:14","slug":"from-china-to-malaysia-meet-the-iranian-psychiatrist-cycling-5000km-across-asia-despite-war-worries-at-home","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/644538\/","title":{"rendered":"From China to Malaysia: Meet the Iranian psychiatrist cycling 5,000km across Asia despite war worries at home"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

KUALA LUMPUR, May 2 \u2014 Iranian cyclist Arezoo Eskandari arrived in Malaysia a few days ago after a 5,000km ride across Asia, even as growing conflict back home weighs heavily on her mind.<\/p>\n

Her solo adventure from China to Iran has become not only a test of endurance, but also a story of resilience and discovery.<\/p>\n

\u201cI have been living my best life as a nomad, experiencing different countries on my bicycle,\u201d she said in a recent interview.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis adventure has been thrilling yet challenging, and I wouldn\u2019t trade it for anything else,\u201d she added.<\/p>\n

The 35-year-old psychiatrist from Esfahan began her one-year cycling odyssey in November last year, driven by a desire to see the world from the seat of a bicycle.<\/p>\n

After covering 5,000km through China, Vietnam, Laos and Thailand over the past six months, she reached Malaysia a few days ago and has been enjoying the country\u2019s culture and hospitality.<\/p>\n

\"Arezoo <\/p>\n

Arezoo Eskandari carries 60kg of essentials, including clothes, cooking utensils, first aid supplies, and a toolbox for her bike. \u2014 Picture courtesy of Arezoo Eskandari<\/p>\n

Raised in a traditional family in Esfahan, where the idea of a woman travelling alone over long distances was met with scepticism, Eskandari said cycling helped her break free from social expectations.<\/p>\n

She first built her confidence through hiking trips across Iran, scaling many of the country\u2019s mountains before setting her sights on long-distance cycling.<\/p>\n

A major turning point came when she completed an 8,400km ride across Iran, which inspired her to pursue a larger dream of cycling from China to Iran.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt wasn\u2019t an easy decision, especially when the people around me doubted my capabilities. Their negativity echoed in my ears,\u201d she recalled.<\/p>\n

\"\u2018Go <\/p>\n

\u2018Go slow, see more, and live deeper\u2019 is a motto she has created to encourage people to pursue their dreams without fear. \u2014 Picture by Yusof Mat Isa<\/p>\n

To fund the trip, Eskandari sold her car for US$2,100 (RM8,337) and carefully mapped out her route, researching each country she planned to cross.<\/p>\n

She began the expedition in Beijing while managing a monthly budget of between US$200 and US$300.<\/p>\n

She carries 60kg of essentials, including clothes, cooking utensils, first aid supplies and tools for maintaining her bicycle.<\/p>\n

\u201cI strive to prepare my own meals and often camp to save costs.<\/p>\n

\u201cYet, I am frequently invited by kind-hearted strangers into their homes, where I share meals and stories,\u201d Eskandari said.<\/p>\n

The journey, however, has also brought moments of emotional strain.<\/p>\n

When the United States and Israel launched strikes on Iran on February 28, Eskandari said concern for her family intensified.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe constant worry, alongside communication disruptions, made it incredibly difficult to focus on my adventure,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

Despite that, Eskandari sees herself as an informal ambassador for Iran, hoping to challenge assumptions about her country and its women.<\/p>\n

\u201cPeople are often surprised to learn I am from Iran; they think women in Iran are isolated, but my journey offers a different narrative,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

As part of her mission, Eskandari promotes her personal motto: \u201cGo slow, see more, and live deeper.\u201d<\/p>\n

Printed on T-shirts and souvenirs, she hopes the phrase encourages others to value the journey as much as the destination.<\/p>\n

\"Arezoo <\/p>\n

Arezoo Eskandari finds Malaysians hospitable as she continues her journey to Johor. \u2014 Picture courtesy of Arezoo Eskandari<\/p>\n

Her travels have also allowed her to form friendships and experience cultures in a way few other modes of transport can offer.<\/p>\n

\u201cTravelling by bicycle allows me to witness every detail, pass through villages, and learn from everyone I meet,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

In Malaysia, Eskandari has enjoyed local favourites such as nasi lemak and char kuey teow so far, and is eager to try durian as she heads south on the peninsula.<\/p>\n

She said Malaysians she has met along the way have welcomed her with warmth and curiosity.<\/p>\n

Her next destination is Johor, before continuing on to Indonesia, India, Pakistan and Central Asia as she makes her way back to Iran.<\/p>\n

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