Cycling Across China with Vegan Message

Cyclists led by the Physicians Committee’s Jia Xu, Ph.D., are inspiring people across China to learn about the health benefits of a vegan diet. Dr. Xu, who frequently lectures about plant-based diets in China and manages the Physicians Committee’s Mandarin-language 21-Day Kickstart, is leading a team of cyclists from Shanghai to Lhasa—about 2,500 miles.

While in Shanghai, Dr. Xu also filmed videos that Food for Life instructor Kimberly Ashton will use in her recently launched diabetes and cancer classes. She says that students are impressed and surprised with the health power of plant-based foods and that more and more people want to learn how to prepare healthful plant-based meals.

Here are photos from Dr. Xu’s journey and Ashton’s Food for Life class:

Shanghai to Lhasa is about 2,500 miles.

Locals pose with vegan message frames.

Dr. Xu talks to media.

People pledged to eat vegan for three months.

Shanghai Food for Life instructor Kimberly Ashton (left) with students.

Learning how a plant-based diet fights diabetes.

Pasta salad was a crowd-pleaser.