Sun Guo Shan: Climbing China’s Most Famous Peaks on His Hands
While many struggle to hike mountains using their legs, 38-year-old Sun Guo Shan has embarked on an extraordinary challenge—climbing China’s most famous peaks entirely on his hands.
Sun, who previously worked in the education sector, began his unique journey in May 2023, motivated by the importance of physical fitness during the COVID-19 pandemic. His ambitious mission is to scale 50 of China’s renowned mountains by spring 2025, aiming to promote health and honor the country’s stunning landscapes.
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A Challenging Journey
Sun’s challenge began in May 2024, but he only gained widespread recognition in November 2024 after a video of him ascending Haibat, the highest peak of Wudang Mountain (1,612 meters), went viral.
Reflecting on his journey, Sun said, “Every Chinese person has a dream of martial arts in their heart. I want to use my special climbing method to complete the country’s 50 famous mountains this spring.”
Tianmen Mountain: A Grueling Ascent
In December 2024, Sun conquered one of his most difficult climbs—scaling the 999 steps of Tianmen Mountain in Zhangjiajie, Hunan Province. The challenging ascent took him five hours, during which he fell nearly a hundred times.
“This is the 34th mountain I have challenged and also the most difficult one,” Sun remarked after completing the climb.
On Track for a Guinness World Record
With only 16 mountains left to conquer, Sun aims to complete his mission by spring 2025 and submit his achievement for a Guinness World Record. His dedication and endurance have inspired people not only across China but also around the world.
