A SHENZHEN newlywed couple rode a motorcycle for 16,000 kilometers, crossing 11 countries, to Europe in 76 days to celebrate their honeymoon.

Sun Liang, 25, and his wife, Chen Jiahua, 23, met at work in Shenzhen and fell in love. Last year, they tied the knot.

They had brainstormed unique ways to make their honeymoon memorable. Led by their shared keen sense of adventure and love for nature, they settled on a road trip on motorcycle.

The couple plotted their course across the Eurasian subcontinent. Sun also obtained an international motorcycle license and visas to the countries along their route.

On May 20, the couple set off from Sun’s hometown, Weifang, in Shandong Province.

Sun suffered soreness in his arms on the first day of their journey as he was unaccustomed to riding the motorcycle, which was brand new. When they arrived in Inner Mongolia, the couple was swept off the main road by a tornado. Chen recalled being frightened and that she couldn’t help crying.

The newlyweds did not stop their journey.

The couple also made a rule not to ride during nights. One night, they were in the middle of nowhere on the Alps with steep cliffs. Exhausted, Sun decided not to take the risk of riding further and the couple found an inn along the road, but there was no room left. They had to borrow a tent from the inn and sleep outdoors.

Seeing the world from a different perspective is their biggest gain from the journey, said the couple.

An old woman invited them to her home to wait for the rain to stop in the Czech Republic and there were two French men who helped them repair their flat tire. (Zhang Qian)