bodyType

customContents

entityId

entityUuid

articlePageQuery

filter

article

articleBaseAdvertisingInfoArticle

articleListArticle

articleSeoArticle

helpersCheckIsPostiesArticle

hooksArticleAcknowledgementGateOverlayArticle

hooksTrackPageViewArticle

hooksContentInterestArticle

articleLinkingDataContent

hooksAmpRedirectArticle

articleSchemaContent

liveArticle

advertZone

sentiment

contentLock

topics

types

sections

moreOnThisArticles

urlAlias

commentCount

authorLocations

authors

corrections

sponsorType

displaySlideShow

multimediaEmbed

printHeadline

seriesContainer

socialHeadline

headline

flag

firstTopic

glossary

flattenTypeIds

publishedDate

additionalInfoBoxes

quizIds

images

image

relatedLinks

relatedNewsletters

__typename

createdDate

sponsor

paywallTypes

pdfFiles

seriesReverseOrder

series

disableOffPlatformContent

published

updatedDate

summary

subHeadline

body

keywords

readingTime

customTimezone

liveContents

Zoey Zhang

A 70-year-old grandfather in China is so enthusiastic about fitness and mountain climbing that he has the physique – and the athletic abilities – of a man half his age.
Zou Heping, from Chongqing city in southwest China, uses the nearby Gele Mountain as his natural, outdoor gymnasium.
Standing at 678 metres (2,224 ft) above sea level, the mountain is a gathering place for sports and fitness enthusiasts. It is also equipped with fitness equipment, parks, and hiking trails.
Zou’s daily fitness routine includes weighted pull-ups, rope or pole climbing, handstands, and the most significant activity of all, scaling the mountain.

With more than 2,500 steps from the foot to the summit, it takes him an hour to ascend and 50 minutes to descend.
Zou has devised unique climbing techniques which include frog-jumping uphill and an alligator-style crawling on the way down.
“Crawling doesn’t hurt the knees, it trains limb coordination,” he said.
Even young people cannot match the septuagenarian. Some have tried, but had to give up, he said.
Zou’s fitness journey began in 1979 when he realised the importance of running while reading a magazine.
He then started running uphill, a routine he has maintained for 45 years.
In the early days, Zou would wake up at 5:30 am every day and carry a 20kg (44lbs) load of water on his run before going to work at 8am.
Now, he runs every day, rain or shine, often topless and barefoot.
Despite his age Zou has black hair and six-pack abs.
Revealing the secret to maintaining his youthful physique, Zou said: “Life lies in running, and the most important thing is to exercise, preserve your fitness and develop a good lifestyle.”
He has abstained from alcohol or cigarettes for four decades and always gets to bed early.

His story has inspired many on mainland social media.
“Grandpa Zou is amazing, his core strength is incredible, at 70, his physical status is like a 17-year-old,” said one online observer.
“Age is never a limit. Indeed, life lies in exercise. Only a healthy lifestyle can keep us forever young,” said another.
“I am not even 30 years old yet, but I feel like this grandfather would knock me down with just one punch,” added a third.


China hero rips open door of burning car, saves injured driver moments before blast

Cat in China holds onto window railings to escape fire

China boss gets 4 years, 9 months jail for production, sale of ‘obscene’ undressable dolls

Chinese court rules security guard’s death during workplace sex an ‘industrial accident’

Trending in China

Can you believe this Chinese man is 70 years old? Punishing daily exercise regime spanning 45 years sustains looks, attitude of a 20-something

A 70-year-old grandfather in China has wowed people on mainland social media with a punishing daily exercise regime which has left him with the looks and attitude of a young man. Photo: SCMP composite/Weibo

The 70-year-old uses a self-styled, alligator-style crawling technique to make his way down the mountain. Photo: Shangyou News

Zou’s punishing daily routine, which has spanned more than four decades, is backed up by his overall healthy lifestyle. Photo: Shangyou News

China makeup artist recreates youth, takes years off actor, 57, transforms ordinary women into cover girls, princesses

A young makeup artist in China has amassed millions of followers on social media and built up a nationwide business with her amazing techniques which transform her clients’ appearances dramatically. Photo: SCMP composite/Xiaohongshu

Tuzi pictured with one of her clients, a number of whom are celebrities in China. Photo: Xiaohongshu

Strange but Tuzi: the makeup artist transformed 72-year-old internet celebrity Grandma Tian into a blond and blue-eyed young princess. Photo: Xiaohongshu

The transformation of 57-year-old actor Tang Jianjun was such that his wife did not recognise him. Photo: Xiaohongshu

The young makeup artist also turned 46-year-old tourism official, Du Bo, into a “Dark Queen”. Photo: Xinhua/Douyin

China teacher warns no more ‘dog ate my homework’ or other excuses, in amusing online reminder to pupils and parents to turn in schoolwork

A forward-thinking teacher in China has sent a helpful and amusing note via social media reminding her pupils and their parents that lame excuses for not handing in post-holiday homework will not be accepted. Photo: SCMP composite/Shutterstock

In her WeChat message to pupils and parents, the teacher gave several tips, advising them not to come up with lame excuses and hand in post-holiday homework on time. Photo: Weibo

An online video shows students frantically working to finish their homework before school returns. Photo: Weibo

Woman without legs banned from boarding China plane as airline forbids people in wheelchairs with no companion from travel, triggering public outrage

Social media in China has been enraged by the story of a woman with no legs who was barred from boarding a mainland flight with her wheelchair. Photo: SCMP composite/Shutterstock/Weibo

The woman. surnamed Wang, produced paperwork which she said was written approval from the airline that she could board the flight alone, with her wheelchair. Photo: Douyin

The airline has been subjected to a barrage of online criticism over its behaviour towards Wang. Photo: Douyin

China sex scandal teacher suspended after husband exposes affair with 16-year-old student, 2.5 billion view story of forbidden love online

The story of a sex scandal involving a 30-something teacher in China and her 16-year-old male pupil has been viewed 2.5 billion times on mainland social media. Photo: SCMP composite/Shutterstock/Douyin

The teacher’s alleged sexual relationship with her 16-year-old male student was exposed by her husband. Photo: Douyin

The teacher and pupil in a tutoring session together. She has been suspended from her job pending an investigation. Photo: Douyin

Popular Hong Kong host Dodo Cheng pride of city for teaching Hollywood heartthrob Timothée Chalamet Cantonese in Dune sequel pre-release interview

Popular Hong Kong TV host Dodo Cheng makes the city proud by teaching Hollywood heartthrob Timothée Chalamet Cantonese during an interview about the release of the sequel to the science fiction hit Dune. Photo: SCMP composite/Warner Bros/Instagram/do_do_cheng

Hollywood heartthrobs Timothée Chalamet and Austin Butler chatted with Dodo Cheng for almost 30 minutes. Photo: Instagram/do_do_cheng

Veteran Hong Kong television host and actress Dodo Cheng had to go through a strict application procedure to secure the star-studded interview. Photo: Instagram/do_do_cheng

News

People & Culture

China Personalities

Septuagenarian scales mountain using self-styled climbing techniques
Six-pack abs, amazing agility, shock of black hair stun online observers


A 70-year-old man in China has impressed many on mainland social media with an exercise regime that puts many young men to shame.


Health in China

Health & Fitness

Can you believe this Chinese man is 70 years old? Punishing daily exercise regime spanning 45 years sustains looks, attitude of a 20-something

Septuagenarian scales mountain using self-styled climbing techniques Six-pack abs, amazing agility, shock of black hair stun online observers

Septuagenarian scales mountain using self-styled climbing techniques

Six-pack abs, amazing agility, shock of black hair stun online observers