A centenarian grandma in a simple and crude cycle rickshaw pedaled by his grandson was seen yesterday as the Olympic torch was passing Niujie Street in Xuanwu District, Beijing. The grandson’s name is Liu Xianghui. He and his grandma both come from Lengshui, a town in Ningyuan County, central China’s Hunan Province. They both came to Beijing to cheer for the Olympics.

Liu Xianghui pedals his grandma all the way to Beijing from hometown in Hunan Province. [rednet.cn]

Liu, who owns an automobile repair shop back home said that last year his 98 year old grandma, who had never been far from home, suddenly had a wish to witness the Olympics. Then he spent 1,800 yuan (US$263) modifying this “caravan” tricycle before pedaling her all the way to Beijing. They arrived in Beijing on April 6 after one month journey and were supported by people of different cities as they passed.

Liu Xianghui pedals his grandma all the way to Beijing from hometown in Hunan Province. [rednet.cn]

"I pedaled because my grandma couldn’t have enjoyed the beautiful landscape of the journey if we had traveled by air”, Liu continued. “I didn’t intend to make this a sensation, but to make my grandma happy in a way to show my respect and love.”

The budget for the journey is around 20,000 yuan (US$2,923) and is more expensive than an air trip, which according to Liu, might not please the grandma.

Now they are living in a rented house, and have bought the tickets for a match on August 22, after which they may choose to go home by plane.

(China.org.cn by Chen Boyuan, August 8, 2008)