Chinese man, 82, travels 12 hours daily for 105 days to visit wife in ICU; devotion touches hearts
82-year-old Chen Achong traveled 12 hours daily for over three months to hold his hospitalized wife's hand.
An 82-year-old Chinese farmer's extraordinary dedication to his hospitalized wife has captured the nation's heart. Chen Achong from Zhoushan undertook a grueling 12-hour daily commute for 105 straight days to visit his wife, Xue, in the intensive care unit at Li Huili Hospital in Ningbo. Married for over 50 years, Chen began his journey each day at 4:30 AM, preparing meals before embarking on a multi-bus trip to reach her bedside. With their son unable to assist due to work, Chen assumed full responsibility for her emotional care, demonstrating a profound level of personal commitment rarely seen.
His routine was relentless. After arriving for the strict 30-minute visiting window from 10:30 to 11:00 AM, Chen would spend that precious time holding his wife's hand, talking to her, and reminiscing about their life together. Rather than immediately starting the long journey home, he would often wait in the hospital corridor until the afternoon. The story, reported by mainland outlet Xinwenfang and featured on CCTV, highlights not just a personal sacrifice but the powerful, quiet endurance of love in the face of adversity, resonating deeply in a society that values familial piety and lifelong partnership.
- Chen Achong, 82, made a 12-hour round trip daily for 105 consecutive days to visit his wife in the ICU.
- He woke at 4:30 AM each day to prepare meals and traveled via multiple buses from Zhoushan to Ningbo.
- His devotion, holding her hand during the 30-minute visiting window, became a national story on CCTV and social media.
Why It Matters
The story transcends a personal narrative, becoming a cultural touchstone about enduring love, sacrifice, and the human spirit in the face of aging and illness.