Liu Xiaoming, 61, dives in Zhuhai, Guangdong Province.(Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn)
After Liu Xiaoming retired in the beginning of 2017, he made it his mission to ensure he has interesting things to do to stay occupied.
Over the past year, the 61-year-old man who lives in Harbin, capital of Heilongjiang Province, has made his life in retirement rich and colorful.
"Before retiring, I was too busy to keep my hobbies and enjoy life," Liu said. "Therefore, as soon as I began my free life, I decided to try something interesting but never experienced."
In April, he began his study of diving in Zhuhai, Guangdong Province.
"Most of my classmates were young people, and it seemed a little difficult for me to practice," he said. "However, when I saw the colorful underwater world for the first time, I was determined."
After only a month's training he got a diving certification, which greatly surprised his young classmates.
On July 23, Liu and his friends gathered in Kumul, Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region. The nine-member team then began their adventure, driving across Lop Nor in the great desert of Taklimakan.
Despite challenges and difficulties, they successfully completed the 3,600-kilometer trip in a week.
"It's a really unforgettable experience, especially when I saw the Loulan Kingdom, which had been buried for centuries," Liu said.
His next goal is to get a flying license.
“I have finished a 17-hour course in U.S. and can get the license after 60 hours’ study,” he said. “According to the rules, only people under 65 can get the license, so I have to hurry up.
“However, I am confident I’ll get it.”
In recent years, Liu also traveled to many countries, including Russia, United Arab Emirates, Malaysia and the Philippines.
“In the past, I had lots of chances to go abroad, but all for business,” Liu said. “Now I can enjoy the journey without any work.”
Liu is planning to open a tea shop in Harbin next year.
“It can be a good place for me to continue my leisure life,” Liu said. “And I hope others can also have their distinctive retirements.”
