May 12, 2012, Fuzhou – “Rickshaw Uncle” Chen You pulls his rickshaw through the streets.
A man nearing fifty, disheartened with life, abandoned everything to walk across China with only an iron rickshaw for company. In the desolate northwest, a suddenly appearing female cyclist burst into tears and embraced him; in the northeast, dozens of taxi drivers cheered to send him off; when he went without food for two days, a farmer gave him two one-yuan coins to buy something to eat…
He is Chen You, known as the “Rickshaw Tough Guy” or “Rickshaw Uncle.” After more than six years, traveling through 29 provinces and covering over 40,000 kilometers, on May 12, 2012, he appeared at Fuzhou’s May 1st Square. The city’s beautiful scenery and warm-hearted citizens moved him once again. He said Fuzhou is beautiful, and decided to slow down, staying a few more days to explore.
Fuzhou was his 29th stop — he found the city beautiful and its people warm
Wearing a hat embroidered with a red five-pointed star, a black cape, a leather waist belt, and black wrist guards, “Rickshaw Uncle” Chen You made his appearance at May 1st Square on the morning of the 12th, quickly drawing a crowd of curious onlookers. Standing in front of his rickshaw, he eagerly posed for photos with citizens. From time to time, people offered him canned eight-treasure porridge and water, to which he repeatedly expressed gratitude.
“Although it was raining the day before yesterday, the southern weather is much better than up north — really comfortable,” Chen You said. Fuzhou is his 29th stop, and he arrived the night before. Finding the climate pleasant, the city scenic, and the citizens civilized, he plans to visit West Lake and Zuohai Park next.
Immediately, someone in the crowd suggested he must visit the Three Lanes and Seven Alleys, offering to act as a guide and take him around to try some local Fuzhou snacks.
One citizen said he deeply admires Chen You. Years ago, he also wanted to cycle across China but never did. Now, seeing Chen You pulling such a heavy rickshaw all this way is truly remarkable — even calling him a “hero” wouldn’t be an exaggeration. Citizen Mr. Lin said it was the first time he’d seen someone walk over 40,000 kilometers. So he bought Chen You some food and drinking water.
Chen You said that along the way, every time he faced hardship, there were always kind people who helped him. Inside his rickshaw are dozens of notebooks recording every bit of money and every item given to him by the public.
There is a quality in humanity called compassion, which is entirely different from “sympathy,” Chen You said. This is what he felt most deeply throughout his journey.