Six years ago, Li Fei left his native Zhaoyang in Hunan Province to seek a new challenge that would keep his mind and body sharp. In his sixties, Li now passes the time giving free dance lessons on public squares in Dongguan, according to Nanfang Daily.

Currently based in Dongcheng, Li told the paper how he got interested in dancing. When in his forties, he was diagnosed with visceral rheumatism and told that he must keep physically active to stay healthy.

He started to learn several folk dances of China, then learned ballroom dancing. He moved to Dongguan because for most of the year it is warm enough to dance outside. But when he arrived at the city, he was disappointed to see that dancing at public squares was rare in the city.

He decided that all that was needed was somebody to lead the dancing and initiate activities. He has now developed a reputation as somebody who leads such activities, never asking for a fee.

He gets up at 5 a.m. every day and cycles to a public square at 7 a.m.

Li was a farmer for most of his life and has no pension, he lives almost entirely off the generosity of fellow dance enthusiasts who treat him to meals and cover his other living costs.

His wife is long dead and his son is back in Zhaoyang, but despite his son frequently begging him to return home, he is too in love with Dongguan to leave.

There is a younger man in Shenzhen who also gives free dancing lessons on public squares.