Vladivostok, Russia - A Chinese car traveller has braved some minus 50 degree Celsius to reach the world's coldest permanently inhabited place after driving thousands of kilometres from Beijing.
Wu Yu, 34, arrived in January at Oymyakon or the Russian Pole of Cold by self-driving, where the average temperature for January stands at minus 50 degree Celsius and the lowest temperature ever recorded in 1924 was minus 71.2 degree Celsius.
Actually, in October 2015, Wu already visited the Pole of Cold. However, the weather was then not so cold in the young traveller eyes.
Therefore, he made a promise to go to Oymyakon again to experience its intense cold.
He said, since his childhood, he was interested in geography and had a dream to travel around the world.
Earlier this year, he left Beijing for Russia. After crossing the border, he saw enormous, vast expanses of Russian Siberia. By passing through such cities as Zabaykalsk, Tynda, Skovorodino, Yakutsk, Oymyakon, Magadan in the northern part of Russia, he finally realised his dream.
The coldest place in the world, ironically, means “unfrozen patch of water, place where fish spend the winter.” On the rear side window, his intention was written in four languages - to visit the Pole of Cold and be the first man travelling through Northeast Asia by car.
He said that he used to sleep in the car to save some money. Every two or three days he rented a cheap hostel to take a shower. Wu has visited Russia for five times. He said he is always ready to return to such a beautiful country -amazingly beautiful snow-covered forests and rivers, plains and mountains, kindness and sympathy of people - that is what really attracted the traveller.
His next aim is to conquer the Bering Strait, and the preparation work has already begun. “As long as there are opportunities and conditions for the journey, I would be driving,” said Wu, who has been travelling around the world since 2012.
Xinhua