Couple following their hearts in epic journey of love

There are many ways to express love, but Ding Yizhou chose one that few would adopt: following a heart-shaped itinerary around China with his girlfriend, who uses a wheelchair.

Ding, 27, embarked on his trek from his hometown of Liuzhou, in the Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region, on Jan 3. He estimated the trip would take three years to complete.

The journey resulted from a wish by Ding's girlfriend, Lai Ming. She was diagnosed with hereditary spinocerebellar ataxia when she was 21. The progressive, degenerative disease has left 28-year-old Lai unable to walk.