Father and 12-year-old son hike to Tibet from Sichuan in 50 days

A father and son from the city of Zigong, southwest China's Sichuan province, have finished an over 1,700 kilometer long hike. However, questions are being raised about the rigours the trek put on the 12-year old.

The father and son walk on the No.318 National Highway with heavy backpacks on their shoulders, July 8, 2017. [Photo: Chengdu Commercial Daily]

Starting from the city of Kangding, Sichuan Province, on July 8, the father and son walked along the No.318 National Highway to Tibet's regional capital Lhasa in 50 days, reports the Chengdu Commercial Daily.

The father and son stand on the top of a snow-capped mountain in Tibet. [Photo: Chengdu Commercial Daily]

The pair would walk more than 30 km per day with an over 10 kg backpack on their shoulders. Facing tough weather condition, the father and son also passed over 12 mountains with an elevation of over 4,000m. Some parts of the road pass through forests and landslide areas.

The father and son get wet in the rain. [Photo: Chengdu Commercial Daily]

The trek has drawn mixed reactions online, with some crediting the father for bonding with his son through a shared adventure.

However, others have described the father as 'reckless' for putting a 12-year old through such physical strain.

The father and son burst into tears. [Photo: Chengdu Commercial Daily]

"I'm not crazy. I will never play with my son's life," stated the father, saying he helped train his son for a year to take on the challenge.

According to the report, the father says it's routine for them to travel long-distances during his son's summer vocation.

"It is a good way of building the child's character through enduring hardship and being brave and strong," added the father.