Xinjiang to Beijing on foot no mean feat

Ablajan Muhtar, owner of an auto repair factory in the Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region, could choose to fly to Beijing in three hours. Instead, he has begun a three-month journey on foot for a benevolent cause.

The 43-year-old started his trek in the regional capital of Urumqi on April 8, and is planning to arrive in Beijing this month.

Muhtar is hoping to raise more than 200,000 yuan ($29,000) to be donated to 10 schools in Xinjiang to help them build soccer fields and purchase equipment for students and soccer coaches.