Li Wenjun is a common farmer from Jiangsu province. In January 2003, pulling a cart from his hometown – a village located in Huai’an, Jiangsu province – Li, at 43-years-old, started off his first hike throughout the country. The hike’s theme was to publicize the Olympic Games at that time.

The hike’s publicity theme was changed into “environmental protection” after 2005, when he began his second journey on foot. With a cart designed by himself, Li has travelled through more than 1,000 counties and cities in China over the past ten years, covering a distance of over 100,000 kilometers. He collects waste along the journey in order to protect the environment, as the source for his living.

He recorded his stops on his journey with local official stamps or postmarks. In addition, he asked for local materials on environmental protection publicity and gave them out to people he met during the journey.

He wants the public to pay more attention to the environment we are living in, through his hike throughout China, Li said. He plans to travel right through the country before 2033.

Li Wenjun talks to passers-by about his ideas on environmental protection on June 18, in Xilingol league, Inner Mongolia autonomous region.[Photo by Ren Junchuan/Xinhua]

Li Wenjun walks on the muddy road in Ulgai, Xilingol league, pulling a cart on June 18. The 8-meter cart is Li’s “home” with and has all his belongs on it.[Photo by Ren Junchuan/Xinhua]

Li Wenjun listens to the radio while taking a break during the his hike on June 18.[Photo by Ren Junchuan/Xinhua]