Sun Guo Shan, a 38-year-old Chinese man, has captured the nation’s attention with his extraordinary mission: climbing some of China’s most iconic mountains using only his hands. Sun, a former teacher, embarked on this unique journey in May 2023, with the aim of conquering 50 famous peaks by spring 2025.
His handstand ascent, which he views as both a tribute to physical resilience and China’s scenic beauty, has gained widespread admiration. Though Sun began his quest in May 2024, it wasn’t until November that he gained fame after a viral video showed him scaling Haibat, the highest peak of Wudang Mountain at 1,612 meters.
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In the viral footage, Sun is seen ascending the steep slopes using only his hands, inspiring awe across the country. “Every Chinese person has a martial arts dream,” Sun said, explaining his motivation. “I want to climb 50 famous mountains using this special method.”
One of his most demanding climbs took place in December 2024, when he tackled the 999 steps of Tianmen Mountain in Hunan Province. The five-hour ordeal saw him fall nearly 100 times, but Sun’s perseverance carried him to the summit, marking his 34th mountain.
With a growing fan base applauding his grit and innovative approach to fitness, Sun plans to complete his 50th mountain by spring 2025 and apply for a Guinness World Record to solidify his accomplishment.
