44-year-old paddles to inspire gaokao students

At dawn on the banks of the Xiangjiang River in the Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region, a man with sun-browned skin checks the weather and wind speed. Beside him, there is an inflatable kayak and neatly packed gear that await his departure for Beijing, 4,000 kilometers away.

Instead of chasing records, the adventurous man named Wu Xiaoliang, 44, started a solo mission in March to inspire his 17-year-old son, who was preparing for China's national college entrance exam, the gaokao.

"I've always told him to chase his dreams through hard work," Wu said.

"Now, I want to show him what perseverance looks like in action. And I hope to encourage millions of students like him who are attending the exam."

A native of Hengyang city in Hunan province, he began his journey in Guilin city, Guangxi.

With only 2,000 yuan ($279) and a kayak loaded with secondhand gear, he plans to reach Beijing in 180 days. His route follows the Xiangjiang River into the Yangtze River, then heads north via the Grand Canal.

By day, Wu paddles. By night, he camps along the banks. In 56 days, he has already covered over 700 km, living mostly on instant noodles, crackers and canned porridge.

The largest challenge lies in crossing over a dozen hydroelectric dams. The first dam required him to haul his 100-kilogram boat ashore and trek up to 20 km before resuming on the other side.

A seasoned adventurer, Wu is skilled at reading wind patterns and optimizing routes using natural forces.

To boost efficiency, he uses a drone to scout ahead, which saves his time and energy with every turn of the river.

Along the way, Wu stops at schools, meets with students, teachers and families. He shares his story and gathers theirs for a special video album he plans to gift gaokao students across the country.

At every stop, he immerses himself in the history of ancient ports, timeworn temples, famous figures and the fading traditions of river life.

This is not his first journey. A Tsinghua University graduate, Wu did similar things in the university. In 2007, he kayaked from Changsha in Hunan to Shanghai. Between 2016 and 2017, he sailed 20,000 km along China's coast in a handmade boat, weathering seven typhoons. From 2020 to 2023, he traversed the full-length of the Yellow River.

His adventures have been global too. While biking across countries, he met his future wife — an Iranian university lecturer. They returned to China and have since explored the country together.

"People admire my life," Wu said. "I'm always learning, always meeting new people. That keeps me young."

When the journey ends, the adventurer plans to publish a photo book capturing not just the expedition, but the culture and legacy of the Xiangjiang River. For now, his small boat drifts steadily northward, propelled by wind, determination and courage.