Zhao Guoqiang, 61, hasn’t stopped walking since he first went hiking at the age of 14. Zhao said, “As long as I can still walk, I will keep going.”
On January 1, a reporter visited Zhao Guoqiang’s home at the Changda Group dormitory south of the intersection of Fushou East Street and Weizhou Road. Upon entering, they saw many photos hanging on the wall. “These were all taken during my hikes,” Zhao said. “I’ve loved playing outdoors since I was a kid. At 14, I took two friends and walked from Weifang to Xuzhou. In 1998, I saw a book in a bookstore about China’s five-star scenic spots, and I thought to myself that I must see all of them first. After visiting all the spots, I switched to hiking, especially choosing places that were less crowded.” He has hiked across Tibet six or seven times and has been to the mountains of Sichuan and Yunnan many times. “Now that it’s cold, I just wander around the nearby mountains in Weifang. When it gets warmer, I plan to go to the Yarlung Tsangpo River,” Zhao said.
“The greatest benefit of hiking is that you can personally experience the local customs, culture, and history,” Zhao said. One of his hiking traits is that he avoids “well-trodden paths.” “Now when I climb mountains, I specifically choose undeveloped trails. I’ve been climbing Yishan Mountain for almost two years, always taking the undeveloped back routes. Each time the route is different, and so are the experiences. Before every trip, I carefully plan the route, prepare the gear, check the travel guides, and maximize safety measures. Many people say I’m paying to suffer, but everyone enjoys different things. I just love being out there. As long as I can still walk, I’ll keep doing it,” Zhao told the reporter.