Yesterday, an elderly man was seen striding down the streets of Lu'an while pulling a handcart, drawing praise from many passersby who hailed him as amazing. The man is Chen You, a 56-year-old farmer from Handan City, Hebei Province. Eight years ago, he built his own handcart and has since traveled over 40,000 kilometers across the country, living rough and eating on the go. Chen told reporters that he aims to set a Guinness World Record to showcase the courage and perseverance of the Chinese people to the world.
Fulfilling a Dream: Walking China While Pulling a Cart
Chen You looks only in his 40s. Years of outdoor trekking have left his skin tanned and his physique sturdy. He strides swiftly while pulling a handcart welded together from steel pipes. Chen said he is from Lugu Village, Cheng'an County, Handan City, Hebei Province. He never attended school, served five years in the military as a young man, and ran a restaurant for four years after being discharged before it went bankrupt. He has been single since divorcing his wife more than 20 years ago.
Chen said he has always dreamed of proving to the world through his actions that the Chinese people possess enough courage and perseverance to earn global admiration. When China was bidding for the Olympics, he saw it as an opportunity. So in 2004, he rode a bicycle from Hebei, through Beijing and Tianjin, all the way to Shanghai to cheer for the bid.
Later, Chen came up with a new idea: to pull a handcart across the entire country. On one hand, it was to fulfill a dream from his youth, and on the other, to create a Guinness World Record. "Over the years, I’ve met many foreigners along the way, some of whom even admired me enough to walk alongside the cart for a stretch!" Chen said contentedly.
A Close Call: Surviving Encounters with Tibetan Mastiffs and Wolf Packs
"Now, aside from Hong Kong and Taiwan, I've been to every other province and city in the country," Chen said. On September 2, 2005, he set off from Shanghai, pulling his cart and walking 20 to 30 kilometers a day along national highways. Locals who love outdoor sports often supported him with meals along the way, but he also encountered many dangerous situations.
Chen recalled that in 2009, while pulling his cart through the wilderness of Karamay, he was suddenly surrounded by a few wolves. Thinking quickly, he pulled a rope from his cart and calmly tied a slipknot in front of the wolves. After a half-hour standoff, the wolves eventually walked away. "They say you can't get blood from a stone, but you can get a wolf with nothing but your wits—guess that's true!"
Another time, while pulling his cart through the Hoh Xil wilderness, Chen came face to face with several Tibetan mastiffs as it got dark. The high-altitude air was thin, and Chen was very nervous. Tibetan mastiffs are fierce animals, but in a narrow encounter, the brave prevail. Clutching his steel pipe and stones, Chen rushed forward and fiercely struck the mouths of two mastiffs. After a struggle, the dogs backed off, and Chen collapsed from exhaustion.
Reflections from the Journey: Health Is the Greatest Wealth
Reporters noticed that the outside of Chen’s cart was covered with messages from friends he met along the way, while the inside was very simple—just a gas tank, pots and pans, bedding, and most noticeably, a large plastic water bottle. Chen said this bottle could hold 20 kilograms of water, though in the desert he switches to one that holds 50 kilograms. Other essentials for surviving in the wild include an alcohol stove, a tent, a telescopic baton, a crossbow, knives, maps, and more. "Don’t let the small size of my cart fool you—I’ve slept inside it even when it was -30°C in the northeast!"
"What’s the biggest takeaway from your handcart journey across China?" a reporter asked. "Other than my health, everything else is just fleeting!" Chen replied. He has pushed past his physical limits countless times, and his heart has grown wider with every step. What was once misunderstood is now met with encouragement and cheers from people along the route.
Whenever he arrives in a new city, Chen first visits the local post office to stamp his journal as a keepsake, then finds a public square to set up camp for the night, joining in a square dance before hitting the road again the next day—an effective way for him to beat loneliness and adjust mentally. "Lu’an gives off a clean and sincere vibe!" Chen said.