IT’S HIS “PROJECT CHINA”, FROM THE NETHERLANDS TO ‘THE LAND OF THE DRAGON’. IF YOU MEET HIM, GIVE HIM A HAND! AND FOLLOW HIS YOUTUBE CHANNEL WHICH TELLS THE GREAT ADVENTURE
Yarrik in on the road from 10 July 2025, more than 5000 km riding his Piaggio Zip 50cc in less 1 month. And the adventure continues, to follow on his YT channel:
https://youtube.com/@yarriklehen?si=RTGPQ483oqHx49Dn
September 2025 (G.T.) - The email reached our editorial office exactly the 31 of July: “My name is Yarrik Le Hen (21 years old), and I am driving my Piaggio Zip euro 4 Injection 50cc from the Netherlands to China. I am documenting this journey on YouTube, and I already reached Padua, in Italy. The goal of my journey is to show the world that there are no limits in our capabilities. I want to show this through the capability of my scooter to reach China and through my own mental battles.”
The message piqued our curiosity because it seemed incredible to undertake such a long and demanding journey on a small 50cc scooter. But it doesn’t seem like a fake message, and we want to find out more. We certainly don’t place limits on the dreams and courageous undertakings of young people! We’re also delighted that the small Piaggio scooter inspired such a great project.
So, we contacted Yarrik, who gave us this interview (from Turkey!). All photos are courtesy of Yarrik Le Hen.
First of all, who is Yarrik Le Hen?
“I live in The Netherlands in Hendrik-Ido-Ambacht, a village near Rotterdam. I am 21 years old and finished my Bachelor of Business Administration this summer. But I do not want to live my life in an office, so I decided to do this trip.”
How did the idea for your ambitious travel project come about? And more, does your project have a title?
“I knew that I wanted to go travelling but did not have a plan yet. I watched some people online that did similar kinds of projects, and they inspired me. I started looking for what was possible for me and realised I owned a scooter so this could be a cheap way of travelling. Also, I wanted to show people around me that you can do anything you want, and the world is not so dangerous you think. So, get of your phone, get out of the office and go into the world. The title of the project is Project China.”
Why did you choose to travel on a small-displacement scooter like the Piaggio Zip? (And more: your scooter it’s a gift of parents or you bought it?)
“I was looking for a slow mode of transport. My choice for the Piaggio Zip was simply because I already owned it and knew that I never had any problems with it before. I bought it 5 years ago, paid 50/50 with my dad.”
Do you use regularly your scooter for transportation?
“I used it every day to get to school, work, the gym or any other activities. Before I left it had 19000 kilometers on the meter and now in Turkey has 24000.”
What is the travel itinerary and main stops?
“I have simple camping gear, basic maintenance items for my scooter, a small bag for important items and a 40l bag for clothes. Every day that I drive, I drive about 100-200 kilometers, sometimes I camp somewhere in nature, sometimes I visit a big city and sometimes I end up in a small village.”
Where did you start from Netherlands? And why China as a destination?
“I started at my home in Hendrik-Ido-Ambacht in The Netherlands. The choice for China was simply because it was a place that is far away, so it makes it a challenge, a lot of interesting countries in between and this was something logistically fairly doable. Also, China and their history/culture always interested me, I worked in a Chinese restaurant for a while.”
We think it takes courage, a spirit of adventure, and the ability to adapt to the unexpected situations that such a project entails; are the sacrifices rewarded by the discovery of new countries and people?
“I would say beginning a trip like this takes a lot of courage, I had to really switch something in my head to actually start and put my trust in God. But once I was going this is actually the easiest thing I have done in my life since the people I meet and the views, I have are so nice. Also, the everyday challenge I have of travelling makes me live life 10x more than I would at home. Now I actually experience and know that God is with me every step of the way.”
Have you found support and friendship along the way?
“Everyone I speak to supports my trip. If I have problems with my scooter, people help me and sometimes even not let me pay. I use an app called couchsurfing to stay at people’s houses for free, these people always help me with my scooter, my route, give me food and show me around where they live. Also, I stay at hostels sometimes where I meet fellow travellers. So, I meet a lot of people and make a lot of friends.
Day 2, 11 July 2025, Belgium.
What has been the most difficult and the most beautiful moment so far?
“The most difficult moment was actually the first day, I was tired because of setting up this trip took more time than planned. Also, I was anxious because I did not know what I was getting myself into and I was way slower than I thought I would be because of the traffic. I was thinking: ‘What am I doing with my life’”.
Out of curiosity: how do your family and friends comment on your project?
“All my friends and family are super positive about my trip. They did have their concerns when I left and thought I was crazy sometimes. But they always supported me and now they know I am capable of reaching the end”. Right! Where is the will, there is the way!
Yarrik concludes: “I do not have a fundraiser for myself, but I do have one for fighting heart disease. My brother has a heart defect, TGA senning, and I want to help him and people in the same situation.
This is the link:
https://supporta.com/w2eb/obxwvmgpdp
These are the links for my social media; YouTube is the most important one:
https://www.youtube.com/@yarriklehen
https://www.polarsteps.com/YarrikLeHen/19462596-scooteren
https://www.instagram.com/yarrik_lhn/?igsh=MmhybzR6NTFjaDB2
If you like my adventure, follow me!”. Thank you, Yarrik, may the road be with you!
https://www.youtube.com/@yarriklehen
