Chinese farmer, 82, wakes up at 4.30am, travels 12 hours every day for 105 days to visit wife in hospital

An 82-year-old man in China travelled 12 hours a day to visit his hospitalised wife before her demise.

According to South China Morning Post (SCMP), Chen Achong started caring for his wife, Xue, after she suffered a stroke, developed severe pneumonia and was warded in the intensive care unit (ICU) at a hospital in Ningbo, Zhejiang province.

Over 105 days, he woke up at 4:30am every day to prepare home-cooked meals for her before travelling to the hospital.

Made home-cooked meals for her, used up savings for her treatment

Sometime in 2025, Xue, 76, had fallen ill.

The couple had been married for over 50 years.

Chen, a farmer, would wake up early every morning to cook for her before taking the public transport to the hospital.

He would visit her in the ICU for 30 minutes from 10:30am to 11am, and stayed in the corridor until the afternoon before heading home.

Chen spent 12 hours daily travelling between his home and the hospital.

He also reportedly exhausted his life savings of over 100,000 yuan (S$18,500) to pay for Xue's treatment.

Their son, who could not be around as much due to work, also sold his home to help pay for medical bills.

Hospital extended visiting hours, donations poured in

Chen's love and dedication were not for nought.

Many became aware of the couple's situation, leading to donations of over 140,000 yuan (S$25,900).

Chen's transport fares were also waived by public transport operators, while the hospital offered to extend his visiting hours.

During his visits, he would speak to Xue and also physically care for her by wiping her face and adjusting her blankets.

Xue died on Mar. 13, 2026, just as Chen was about to head home from the hospital.

"My heart feels like it is being torn apart. It is so painful. But nothing more could be done," he said, adding that she was the "best wife in the world".

Chen also thanked those who had supported him.

He said that he intends to repay the kindness and the debts he had incurred.

Top photos via CCTV