Chinese hermit among graves

This item from the China Daily website, is reprinted in full because such news items often disappear from the web:

Elderly hermit enjoying life in mountain graves
(China Daily) Updated: 2008-10-28 09:02

A 75-year-old man has been living in open graves for about 23 years in Xinzhou, Hubei province.

Tao Shaotang left his village after quarreling with a neighbor who he suspected of stealing his money in 1984.

Tao remained homeless until 1986 when he built four rooms in unused coffin pits he found on Dahou Mountain.

With tireless effort, Tao transformed a barren hill into a fruit garden after planting scores of peach and Chinese chestnut trees. He has supplemented this income by raising bees.

Tao said he is now accustomed to living alone in the coffin pits and has refused requests of local villagers to move back with them.

(Chutian Jinbao News)

URL: http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/china/2008-10/28/content_7148260.htm