Chen Zhaoxi, 64, has gained local fame after riding his motorbike thousands of kilometers back to his birthplace.

Chen lives in Yumin county in Northwest Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous region, but in August 2006 he decided to return to Sichuan. Riding on his motorcycle, Chen visited more than 30 cities and counties along the road from Xinjiang to Sichuan and covered more than 6,000 kilometers in two months.

"With improved living conditions, we elders want to make our lives more colorful. My trip, although very hard, made me feel very happy," Chen said.