By Zoey Zhang

Copyright scmp

A man from central China conquered a 70-day jungle challenge, winning 100,000 yuan (US$14,000) by using home-made traps to catch rats and insects.
In Zhangjiajie, Hunan province, which is known for its dramatic landscapes, caves and rare wildlife, an event called the Qixing Mountain Cup jungle survival challenge took place in July.
It was organised by a local tourism company and outdoor clubs.
One hundred contestants from across China were dropped into the remote, climate-shifting area with just a knife and a bamboo pole.

For two months, they had to survive without any external supplies. The entire challenge was streamed live on mainland social media.
The final 10 contestants received 200 grams of salt and a stainless steel bowl as they battled for the 100,000 yuan grand prize, with each survivor of 30 days earning 6,666 yuan (US$940).
On September 22, 33-year-old Yang Dongdong emerged as the champion after surviving for an impressive 70 days in the wild.
On entering the forest, Yang built a shelter on a hill using dry grass, vines, bamboo and rocks. He even twisted threads from his clothes into ropes and crafted a small stool from wood.

Yang wove baskets from bamboo to catch fish and crabs and foraged for herbs and fruit.
He even set simple traps to catch rats and insects.
Despite several bouts of vomiting from eating strange plants, he managed to survive.
“When food is scarce, anxiety sets in, but I had to ensure I got the right balance of protein and vitamins,” said Yang.
The cold temperatures posed the biggest challenge, with autumn nights dropping below 10 degrees Celsius. There was also heavy rain, slippery paths and snakes to contend with.
Yang gathered ferns to seal his shelter and used wood to start a fire.
When his victory was announced, he was sitting by the fire. Overcome with excitement, he raised his arms and shouted: “I have made it through!”
As he left the forest, he took ginger, fruits and wild vegetables he had harvested along with the traps he had set.
According to the mainland media outlet, Jimu News, Yang lost more than 15kg in weight during the jungle dare, but remained upbeat and chatty.
A health check-up later confirmed that all his physical indicators were normal.

Reports said that Yang works as a beekeeper and holds shares in a wedding planning company. His passion for the wilderness stems from childhood, spending time with his grandfather.
“As a child, I often went hunting with my grandfather in the mountains. He taught me basket-making and how to set traps,” Yang shared.
He said he plans to share his survival knowledge on social media, hoping to inspire others to explore nature.
Yang has been praised online.
One person said: “Seeing Yang eat protein while others relied on plants, I knew he would be the champion. I admire this versatile adventurer.”
“Yang arrived with a mindset to conquer nature but left with a deep respect for it,” said another.