BBC Information, North East and Cumbria
An trade pupil who drove 6,800 miles (11,000 km) to get to college within the UK says his journey has impressed others to do the identical.
Yukun Tao travelled throughout 9 international locations from his residence metropolis of Nanjing, close to Shanghai in China, to Durham by automobile final September.
The 26-day journey took Mr Tao via China, Kazakhstan, Russia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Germany and the Netherlands.
His mother and father had spent months “attempting to cease me from this loopy plan”, he stated.
“All the pieces was unknown,” Mr Tao stated.
“I had not been to the opposite international locations but. I had not been overseas for about 10 years earlier than this journey.
“It actually wants some spirit, some bravery to set off, since you’re going through a world with the whole lot unknown, the whole lot unsure.”
Mr Tao is now getting ready for his return residence in Could and hopes to drive again by way of Denmark, Norway and Finland.
The 20-year-old, who research at Hong Kong Polytechnic College, spent about six months getting ready for his journey.
He stated he selected Durham as a result of he may do a full tutorial yr, moderately than one semester, but in addition due to the school system.
“I believe it is fairly much like Harry Potter’s faculty so I lastly selected Durham College,” Mr Tao stated.
He determined to drive over after listening to another person had achieved that but in addition wished to carry his mountain bike.
“For my mother and father, I believe they might fear greater than feeling proud,” Mr Tao stated.
“They spent about two or three months attempting to cease me from this loopy plan.”
The journey was not with out its hurdles.
Mr Tao set off on 1 September and, as he approached China’s border with Kazakhstan, he began having bother together with his automobile’s engine.
As a consequence of restrictions on exiting China, he wanted to depart the nation on 8 September or he wouldn’t be capable of proceed the journey.
It meant he had about two days to repair the automobile and set off once more. A good friend managed to get him an appointment within the space and “a big downside” with the automobile’s engine was discovered.
“Often, fixing it will take over per week,” Mr Tao stated.
“However the engineers labored across the clock to assist me get it again up and operating.”
School principals and the chair of the Pupil Union welcomed Mr Tao when he reached Josephine Butler School on 26 September.
“I used to be very shocked and moved,” he stated.
It took him about two weeks to get used to UK roundabouts and driving on the left-hand aspect of the street. He has since been on street journeys to the Highlands and London and hopes to go to Wales earlier than driving again to his hometown.
Mr Tao stated his journey had motivated considered one of his flatmates, who can be Chinese language, to try the identical journey.
“He acquired moved with my spirit – my expertise – and he plans to drive his automobile to Durham and take the identical route.”