Heartbreak journey: Chinese man treks 40km in mountains to forget ex; found after massive search op

A young Chinese man, surnamed Xiaolin, vanished into the mountains near Hangzhou in Zhejiang province for six days, leaving his family and friends worried as he disappeared without informing anyone.

Reports suggest the incident stemmed from a breakup with his girlfriend. In a bid to ease his emotional pain, Xiaolin deliberately shed his communications and wandered off into the wilderness.

As reported by local police in Yuhang District, Xiaolin last contacted his brother on June 19. When he failed to respond subsequently, a report was filed from Changsha, his hometown

According to South China morning post, investigators found that he had left his mobile phone at his rented flat on June 20, prompting a large search scale operation

Surveillance footage revealed Xiaolin trekking toward the Dalang Mountain area, where he subsequently vanished from view after the early hours of June 21

Authorities swiftly mobilised over 100 police officers, assisted by local volunteers and specialist teams equipped with drones and canine units. After six days in the wilderness, Xiaolin was finally found by a team of officers and volunteers. Fortunately, he is now in stable condition

The bizarre episode quickly caught fire online, triggering a flood of reactions on mainland Chinese social media.

One user wrote: “I’m honestly so impressed he managed to leave his phone behind.”

Another remarked, “That girl is lucky she broke up with him — someone this extreme isn’t relationship material.”

Starting from Xianlin, he trekked through Fuyang, Zhongtai, and finally reached Lin’an, surviving on wild fruit and mountain spring water. Police said he went three full days without food or water, before his body "couldn't take it anymore."

“When we found him, his clothes were in tatters,” Zhu said. “He later survived by drinking from springs and eating whatever he could find near village homes.”