They've crossed grasslands, ran after herds and gazed at the starry skies during the journey. Chen captured the scenery along the route using Mixiu as a model and put it on the short video app Douyin, where he received attention and encouragement from netizens.

Chen bought shoes, clothes and nutrition products for Mixiu to ensure fitness during the long journey. After 71 days of hiking, his weight dropped from 81.5 kilograms to 71.5 kilograms, while Mixiu maintained a weight of 25 kilograms.

Zhao Yandi contributed to this story