Man spreads benefits of habit to others, one step at a time

Dalian - When Wang Yongjiu got his hands on a ticket to the opening ceremony of the 2008 Beijing Olympics, it opened up a whole new world for him.

Wang, 61, walked more than 1,000 kilometers from his home city of Dalian, Liaoning province, to the capital for the show.

Before his epic journey, Wang would never go anywhere on foot if he could drive instead. So he never thought that he would become an icon for a 2,000-strong local hiking club in just two years.

Wang now walks no less than 10 kilometers a day and was recently honored by enthusiasts as one of the "Top 10 Chinese Walkers".

Wang's eyes still light up when he speaks about his trek to Beijing, calling it the highlight of his life.

Like many other Chinese people, Wang was proud of the country's hosting of the Olympic Games. He applied for tickets on the Internet and was lucky enough to get one for the opening ceremony.

Wang could not wait for several months before flying to Beijing for the ceremony. He decided to do something different - going to Beijing on foot.

"By walking, I could demonstrate the Olympic spirit and feel the pulse of villages, towns and cities along the route," Wang told China Daily last week at his home.

Wang's wife, Hao Wanxiang, 62, initially had doubts that he could make the journey. According to her, Wang, who had been a factory director and a shareholder of a big store, seldom exercised.

"He drove everywhere, even to places just a few hundred meters away," Hao said.

She told Wang that if he really wanted to go ahead with his idea, he should be mentally and physically prepared.

Following his wife's advice, Wang started walking slowly. He gradually covered longer distances. He posted threads online, seeking companions for his new hobby. Seven women and five men, including one from Hubei province and one from Heilongjiang province, joined him.

After two months' preparation, the 13-member team, with an average age of 55, started walking toward Beijing on May 27, 2008.

In the following 38 days, they ate simple meals and lodged in cheap inns. They walked for 30 kilometers a day, braving heavy rain, strong winds and the scorching sun.

They all suffered from blisters and muscle injuries. But nobody gave up. On July 3, they arrived in Beijing, tired but happy.

Wang himself fell in love with walking during the journey. Back in Dalian, he founded a hiking club and started website www.dltubu.com to organize activities, share experiences and exchange ideas on the habit.

The growth of his club is testimony to the rising popularity of walking among Dalian's residents.

Many areas in Dalian, such as Binhai Road, which meanders about 40 kilometers along a southern seaside route, are also very suitable for walking tours. Every third weekend in May, hundreds of thousands of citizens walk along the road alone to take part in the annual Dalian International Walking Festival, which started in 2003.

Wang and his fellow members usually draw much attention at the festival. They hold the club's flags, sing the its song and encourage tired pedestrians.

"We try to create a happy atmosphere and advocate the benefits of walking," Wang said.

Gu Chunxiang, 39, was attracted by Wang's team and joined the club at last year's festival. He is now an active member.

"Wang's enthusiasm is contagious," Gu said. "And he is a big contributor to the operating costs of the club and the website."

Wang spends more than 30,000 yuan ($4,400) a year on his hobby, taking part in hiking activities in Chinese and foreign cities.

Wang and his fellow members have traveled across most of the cities in Liaoning and left their footprints in other cities, provinces and regions such as Harbin, Jilin, Tibet, and Taiwan.

They have attended international hiking activities, including those in South Korea and Vietnam.

Wang's wife said her husband devotes himself full time to the club.

"It makes him happier and healthier, so I support his activities," Hao said.

Every evening from Tuesday to Friday, Wang and other members walk together for 10 kilometers. During the weekend, they organize hikes of longer distances. Wang can walk at a speed of 7.1 km an hour now.

According to Wang, the most popular members in the club are not those who are rich, but those who can bring happiness to the others.

"Passers-by easily know that we are from Dalian," he said.

"Through our efforts, we can let more people know about the city and develop friendships with people from all over the world," he said.

Wang's dream is to walk the whole world, promoting Dalian and advocating a healthy lifestyle. He is planning to walk in Australia and New Zealand in the near future.

"When the time is ripe, we will attend the International Four Day Marches Nijmegen in the Netherlands, the world's most famous walking event," Wang said.

China Daily

(China Daily 05/27/2010 page2)