Chongqing- Recently, the story of a Chongqing young man Yue Xiaoyun riding home from Horgos City in Xinjiang Province to Fengjie County in Chongqing Municipality, went viral on Chinese social media.

The 4,400-kilometers journey took Yue and his horse “Huoguo” for half a year. Yue named his horse “Huoguo,” which means “hotpot,” a traditional Chongqing food out of nostalgia. Yue said the name always reminded him of his hometown.

Yue Xiaoyun and Huoguo reached Fengjie County. (Photo provided to iChongqing)

A soul long for freedom

Yue was graduated from Chongqing Technology and Business University with a major in international logistics.

Yue described himself as an untamed horse. He used to have a steady job, but he quit after three years and turned to fish farming and selling fruits.

He had always dreamed of traveling on horseback. He wanted to indulge himself once before settling down. “If I had a family of my own, I wouldn’t be that impulsive.”

“It only took me half a year to make the trip; I still have decades for work,” said Yue. He defined the trip as something to reminisce about after many decades.

Yue and Huoguo at The Qutang Gorge Scenic Area. (Photo provided to iChongqing)

A lonely but dangerous journey

When it came to the reason why he broadcasted his journey on Douyin (Chinese Tik Tok), Yue said that he just felt too lonely and wanted to talk to others. He didn’t expect to become a focus on the internet.

Surprisingly, Yue never told his parents of the trip. “The trip was dangerous indeed, and I don’t want to worry my parents,” said Yue.

Careful as he was, Yue still encountered many dangers, including a sudden rainstorm, a cold wave of more than ten degrees below zero. When traveling along Duku Road in Xinjiang province, Huoguo was frightened, and the local policeman told Yue that there were wolves nearby. Yue had planned to sleep in a tent that night, but he spent the night in a hotel for safety. He only slept in a hotel room three times during the trip.

Yue and Huoguo at Baidi City Scenic Area. (Photo provided to iChongqing)

Keep on moving with his horse

Alone the way, he developed a deep bond with his horse Huoguo. They had become important companions.

Once Huoguo was injured during the journey, Yue couldn’t bear to let it carry him and his luggage. So he walked more than 1,500 kilometers carrying the bags and leading the horse. After walking for more than two months, he got arthritis of the shoulders and partial nerves damage in his foot.

Now Huoguo came to Chongqing together with Yue and changed Yue’s life to some extent. A steady job with a fixed schedule means that Yue needs to sell Huoguo or leave it with someone else. Yue couldn’t take it.

Recently, Yue and his horse Huoguo became “Fengjie Tourism Promotion Ambassadors” and signed a contract with Chongqing Chijia Culture Travel Group. They will visit scenic spots of Fengjie for the next month and introduce the scenery and culture of Fengjie to more people with live video.