Twice entering Sichuan for earthquake relief, he bonded with firefighters
A 29-year-old young man from the Ice City, Jin Yingqi, has ridden his motorcycle nearly 70,000 kilometers since May this year, passing through 28 provinces and cities—not for tourism, but specifically to visit local fire stations. He has collected more than 1,100 fire station stamps and messages of support, filling up a total of 13 notebooks.
A motorcycle loaded with a tent, sleeping bag, gasoline canisters, and daily necessities is all that Jin Yingqi carried on his journey to fulfill his “firefighting dream.”
“I witnessed firsthand how young firefighters gave everything they had to save others at disaster sites—it deeply moved me,” Jin told reporters. On April 2 this year, he set out from Harbin to assist in disaster relief in Lushan County, Sichuan, which had been hit by an earthquake. During that time, his van was crushed by a landslide. Previously, he also volunteered in the 2008 Wenchuan earthquake relief efforts. During both disaster responses, he fought alongside firefighters every day. Wherever there were firefighters, there was hope for life. He wants to promote the spirit of firefighting by cycling across China.
After the relief efforts, Jin bought a motorcycle and set off westward from Sichuan. Over five months, he rode through 28 provinces, municipalities, and autonomous regions, including Tibet, Yunnan, Guangxi, Hainan, and Zhejiang. Everywhere he went, he visited the local fire station to pay his respects to the firefighters and share his original motivation.
Jin’s most treasured possessions are the 13 notebooks filled with messages and stamps from firefighters across the country. “Fulfilling the firefighting dream, supporting firefighting”—Haikou Public Security Fire Brigade; “Spreading fire safety awareness, building a safe China”—Hangzhou Fire Brigade... The firefighters praised Jin, saying that his collection of over 1,100 stamps has united the hearts of firefighters nationwide.