Archive · 23 Aug 2026
Chinese Man Reunites With Family After 25 Years Alone
Li Guoyou left home many years ago to find work.
He later promised a woman named Lin that he would watch her mountain house.
Li kept that promise for 25 years, even though Lin moved away.
He lived by growing food, raising animals, and fishing.
He also walked to a shop when he needed supplies.
When Lin came back, she found Li still caring for the house.
Li said he wanted to find his brothers and return home.
Because his identity card had expired, Lin helped him get the papers needed to travel.
He then reunited with his brothers in his old village.
Li Guoyou, 63, returned to his Sichuan hometown after living alone in the mountains for 25 years.
He stayed to guard a remote house after promising its owner, Lin, that he would protect the property.
Li grew corn, raised animals, fished, and walked three kilometres for basic supplies.
Lin eventually returned to sell the property and helped Li obtain travel permits after discovering he was still there.
Local officials escorted Li to his village, where he reunited with his two brothers after nearly three decades apart.
- Who
- Li Guoyou, a 63-year-old man; Lin, the former property owner; and Li’s two brothers.
- What
- Li returned home and reunited with his brothers after spending 25 years guarding Lin’s remote mountain property.
- When
- Li lived at the property for 25 years and recently returned home; the reunion followed nearly three decades apart from his brothers.
- Where
- Li had been living in a remote mountain area and returned to his hometown in Sichuan province, China.
- Why
- He stayed at the mountain house because he had promised Lin to look after it, then returned home to find his brothers.
- Man
- Li Guoyou
- Age
- 63
- Time in isolation
- 25 years
- Location of mountain home
- A remote mountain area in China
- Former employer/property owner
- Lin
- Journey home
- A 40-hour train journey
- Travel assistance
- Lin worked with local police to secure permits for Li
- Family reunion
- Li reunited with his two brothers in his village