In a quest to reignite his life and chase a childhood dream, Sun Wenzhu embarked on a solo, unpowered rafting adventure down the Yangtze River, a feat that consumed 100 days and spanned over 3,500 kilometers.

Rafting through the Yangtze River has been a longtime wish for Sun. "I grew up in the Yangtze River basin since I was a child, and I have read stories related to Yangtze River rafting team before, which is why I have always dreamed of rafting along the Yangtze River," Sun said, adding that he would also like to challenge himself by making changes to his life. 

Driven by a desire to change his life, Sun, a 1990-born adventurer, left his home in Wuhan, embarking on this perilous journey from Panzhihua, Sichuan.

Photo/provided to NBD

Sun's journey began on a clear morning on June 6th, where he launched his inflatable raft into the rapid waters near Panzhihua. Navigating the treacherous currents, Sun faced numerous challenges, including the one which forced him to alter his course due to its insurmountable dangers.

He also encountered near-death experiences, such as being capsized by a sudden 2-meter wave near Baihetan, leaving him struggling in the water for over an hour.

Photo/provided to NBD

Despite the hardships, Sun persevered, buoyed by the support from locals and his growing online following on Douyin, where he broadcast his journey.

Sun also saw the Yangtze River dolphins several times during his adventure, one of which was the dolphins frolicking in the water.

His story resonated with people, garnering aid from strangers who guided him to safety, warned him of dangerous rapids, and even accompanied him on the water.

Photo/provided to NBD