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China's first hiker arrives in Lushan City: One world, one family, spreading warmth among people!

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China's first hiker arrives in Lushan City: One world, one family, spreading warmth among people!

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---------- Know Lushan, Love Lushan ----------

China’s top hiker came to Lushan City?

Yes, you heard that right,

Let’s see what the story is all about!

If life feels without achievement, may you understand the wanderer.

The Wanderer

Tramping a hundred thousand miles across China,

Enduring twenty years of trials and change.

With a vow to traverse every land,

Only to pass on the warmth of the human strand.

At 62 years old, Li Changbo, after 16 years, 5 months, and 8 days, has traversed 14 provinces, 3 municipalities, over 1,500 county-level cities and districts, and nearly 10,000 townships and streets, covering a total distance of more than 100,000 kilometers. At 4 p.m. on January 8, 2019, he passed through Hualin Town. With wind and rain lashing, freezing weather, and only one yuan left to his name, he sought help from the Hualin Town government. With the warm assistance of the town’s leaders, Li rested and regrouped there for three days. During this time, I had the chance to chat with Mr. Li, and it left a deep impression on me.

Sixteen years ago, at the age of 45, after a winter of contemplation, Li Changbo made a decision that his family and friends couldn’t accept: he wanted to hike across all of China within his lifetime. He planned to document the natural scenery, local customs, cultural sites, and his own observations and feelings through photos and diaries, using them to present a true picture of China to the world. Li said, “My dream is to walk all over China, and then I plan to publish a series of books called Walking Across China.” “My parents and my wife have passed away, and my only daughter is grown and married. I have no ties left—I just want to do something I’m passionate about that no one else has done,” he explained. To make this dream a reality, on July 1, 2003, he resolutely quit his job as a full-time civil servant at the Health Bureau in Jiangyuan County, Jilin Province. Carrying a 1995 IBM laptop, a camera bag, four rolls of film, and a 40-pound backpack, he set off alone on his journey across China on foot.

The local customs and traditions of over 1,500 cities and counties, the landscapes of more than half of China, and 6,000 days and nights of relentless travel have deepened his understanding of China’s history and reality. “I’ve been to almost all the famous historical cities and the sites of major historical events—like the Wujiang River where Xiang Yu died by his own hand, and Zhou Yu’s birthplace and grave. Now that I’ve come to Lushan City, I’ve even seen Zhou Yu’s command platform. But you can only read about these places and imagine them.” Li Changbo added, “I’ve met good people and bad people along the way—some praised me, some mocked me, and some just watched the excitement. In short, I’ve encountered all kinds of people. When people give me money, I usually only take a little, never more than 500 yuan. One reason is that carrying too much cash isn’t safe, but more importantly, I believe only when you have nothing can you truly experience the warmth and coldness of human relationships and the fickleness of the world.” After 16 years of trekking across China on foot, Li Changbo has developed his own unique understanding and insight into human nature.

But what excites Li Changbo the most is that as he has journeyed on, he has gained more and more, and his homeland has been changing with each passing day. “The biggest feeling is the earth-shattering changes across the country since the 18th National Congress. Being able to record the changes of the times step by step and document the marks of the country’s rapid development has only strengthened my resolve, my ideals, and my beliefs.” Mr. Li Changbo said emotionally and firmly.

(Calligraphy gifted by Secretary Chen of Hualin Town’s father to Li Changbo)

In 2003, when Li Changbo set off, there were no smartphones, and photos were taken with film cameras. Communication networks were underdeveloped back then, so Li Changbo would jot down notes by hand on paper and then find a nearby internet cafe to upload his records. Now, with the widespread use of smartphones and mobile networks, it’s incredibly convenient for him—he can document his sights, experiences, and feelings anytime, anywhere. He says, “The laptop and phone I use are also a microcosm of this era’s development.” He adds, “Back then, rural roads were all muddy and bumpy, which made hiking tough for me. But now, whether in the countryside or the city, whether it’s national highways, provincial roads, county roads, or village roads, they’re all smooth asphalt or cement roads, making my walking journey much easier and more comfortable. This is also a reflection of the country’s development.” He also believes, “In the past, when I hiked, most people thought I was crazy. But now, as I travel along, more and more people understand and support me. Most can accept what I’m doing, which shows a shift in people’s thinking. Plus, I have friends all over the country—that’s the happiest thing for me, being able to make friends with knowledgeable people from all walks of life.” Over 16 years of hiking, Li Changbo has recorded the dramatic changes in China’s urban and rural landscapes through words and photos.

During his 16-year journey, Li Changbo had no funding and relied entirely on help from kind-hearted people to make it this far. Along the way, he endured hunger and cold, often finding himself in unimaginable difficulties. “Countless times, when I ran into people who wanted to take photos with me, I’d ask if they could buy me a bowl of noodles to fill my stomach, but they’d refuse. When night fell and no one was around to help, sleeping on the road, under eaves, or in culverts was the most normal thing. The toughest time was in 2004, when I reached the Taihao Mountain, a no-man’s land on the border of Cangnan in Zhejiang and Ningde in Fujian. I survived on just a few cloves of garlic for seven days, relying entirely on sheer willpower to stay alive.”

(Image from Li Changbo’s Moments screenshot)

What you get on paper is shallow; to truly understand, you must practice it yourself. Li Changbo also told us, “In life, when you’re going through hesitation, confusion, and despair, you must hold onto your ideals, firm up your beliefs, and steady your steps. Take one solid step at a time to walk out of the困境. At work, especially if you’re a leader, to create value in life, you must maintain a positive, optimistic, and upward attitude. Everything in the world is yin and yang, opposites that counteract each other. If you compare the heads of a coin to positivity and the tails to negativity, then a negative mindset will make you trembling with fear, hesitant in action, and walking on thin ice. Negativity and jealousy will lead you to accomplish nothing. At that point, it’s about whether you have the courage and determination to flip the coin. An optimistic mindset will encourage you, spark your potential, generate motivation, and create your own value.

If you feel your life is insignificant, may you understand those who walk the path. In one’s life, it’s impossible to have smooth sailing and a flat road. We all experience ups and downs, twists and turns. A positive mindset will guide you on how to face setbacks and solve difficulties. Character determines destiny, and mindset determines success or failure. In my view, setbacks are not stumbling blocks on your path to growth; on the contrary, they are accumulation, a buildup for a breakthrough. Setbacks will transform you into being tougher and stronger. I believe you can also, like me, find on the journey of walking through China not only rugged and bumpy roads but also gentle breezes and sunny days. I’m grateful to the 3 million fans and netizens for your encouragement and support over these 16 years. I’m grateful to everyone I’ve met in life who has helped me.”

Trekking across China for a hundred thousand miles,
Recording the magnificent landscapes bit by bit.
Not fearing the rugged and difficult road,
With unwavering faith, spreading true feelings.

“Life goes on, trekking doesn’t stop” — that was the last topic in my conversation with Li Changbo. Looking at the 62-year-old, visibly tired Li Changbo, carrying a 40-jin backpack with no funding, nowhere to stay or eat, his physical strength declining day by day, his walking pace slowing each year, and his rest periods growing longer. To lighten the load, he keeps throwing away essentials from his backpack, but that also increases the risks to his own safety along the way. To get one step closer to his dream, he wouldn’t mind sacrificing himself. Life goes on, trekking doesn’t stop. Can he, in his remaining years, let out the strongest and most powerful voice when he finishes the remaining one-third of his journey? As long as I haven’t fallen, I’ll keep moving forward…”Life is endless, and hiking never stops,”

That’s so true.

Let’s give a thumbs-up to this elderly man for his relentless spirit!

From Hualin Release

--------The following is very important-------

Shanglu Mountain Network Online Recruitment

2 Editorial Staff (with solid writing skills and text editing ability)

【Main Job Responsibilities】

  1. Collect content for Shanglu Mountain Network;
  2. Organize and report on online and offline events;
  3. Responsible for content collection on Shanglu Mountain Network;
  4. Write news, event reports, and articles on humanities and real stories.

【Contact Number】13979276166

End

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