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KUALA LUMPUR : Defying the risks of solo travel, a female cyclist from Isfahan is determined to ride across Asia to deliver a message of peace and highlight the culture of the Islamic Republic of Iran to the international community.
Dubbed ‘the Tourism Ambassador of Isfahan,’ 35-year-old Arezoo Eskandari arrived in Malaysia on April 28 and will be spending time in the capital city before making her way south of the peninsula and onwards to Indonesia, India, and Pakistan. Eskandari said the war that has hit her country since Feb 28 has never hampered her enthusiasm in her Asian cycling journey.
On the contrary, it has become an impetus to complete her adventure that began on Nov 24, 2025 in Beijing.
"As you know, Isfahan has been crowned toursim capital of Asian cities in 2025. My aim is not to solely cycle and travel, but also to spark cultural exchanges between Iran and other Asian nations.
"I introduce my culture, food, and the message of peace of the Iranian people, as well as attractions in Iran to the people of Asia. "The current situation does not pose an obstacle to my journey. In fact, I shall continue ,” she told the media through a Persian language interpreter, recently at the Iranian Cultural Centre, here.
Eskandari commenced her journey six months ago with a flight from Isfahan to Beijing, carrying her bicycle components, before beginning her ride across several countries including Vietnam, Laos, and Thailand. She entered Malaysia through southern Thailand after celebrating Eid there. On what she experienced during her stopovers in Asian countries, Eskandari acknowledged the affability and courtesy of the locals, with some going as far as offering her accommodation and treating her like family.
"The sweetest moments were when the locals treated me like their own family. In Thailand, I stayed with a local family, attended their weddings and feasts, and even cooked Iranian food for them.
"In Malaysia, I felt at ease by the large presence of Muslims here, like in Iran. In fact, Malaysians are so hospitable and friendly. They helped me a lot along my way from the border to here . I’m very happy being in Malaysia,” she said.
Eskandari will be in Malaysia for a month and will meet with local cycling enthusiasts for a group ride. Travelling with a bike and 60-kilogram luggage that includes cooking equipment, repair tools, and personal effects, Eskandari also faces Asia’s hot and humid climate and challenges in finding lodgings. During her tour, she is frugal and cooks her own food. She also pitches tents and spend nights at the houses of the locals on her stopovers.
A fitness trainer and mountaineer with a masters degree in psychology, Eskandari is able to correct misconceptions that some locals might have regarding Iranian women and the republic itself.
"There are those who think women in Iran cannot attend universities or ride solo. I have a university education and they were shocked. There are also those who thought Iran is nothing but a desert, when in actual fact, we have four seasons,” she added. Eskandari is expected to complete her ride across Asia within a year, and would return to Iran via Turkiye.
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