Mountain porters carry on tradition

Just before Spring Festival, Lu Hong, 47, shouldering a load of over 50 kilograms on a carrying pole, finished his journey of more than 3,000 steps up Mount Tai and took a well-deserved rest. As a porter on Mount Tai in eastern China's Shandong province, Lu has to slog up the winding mountain road two or three times every day during busy seasons.

"After work, porters have a drink or a cigarette, but I don't drink or smoke. What I really like is listening to music and browsing WeChat. The most happy moment for me is counting how much I can earn each day," Lu said.

Mount Tai, one of China's Five Sacred Mountains, holds great historical and cultural significance, and its peak is referred to as the Jade Emperor Peak, approximately 1,500 meters above sea level.