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In Sichuan Province, Chinese Man Min Hengcai Abandoned Work and Urban Life to Live Alone in an Adapted Cave He Calls a “Black Hole,” Symbol of Freedom and Self-Sufficiency
In Sichuan Province, in southwestern China, a 35-year-old man decided to break away from urban living. Min Hengcai has been living for four years in a cave he adapted himself. For him, work and marriage are redundant and unnecessary concepts.
At the end of 2021, Min quit his job as a ride-hailing driver, which paid 10,000 yuan per month, equivalent to about 1,400 dollars.
Tired of the routine, he returned to his hometown and chose to live in seclusion, in a place he describes as his true home.
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Debt and Material Detachment
Before moving, he had worked long daily hours to try to pay off debts to relatives.
Even so, he still owed the bank and financial institutions about 300,000 yuan, which represents approximately 42,000 dollars.
With no hope of settling the debts, he mentioned that family members sold properties that could have been used to resolve part of the debts.
For him, the financial system and the continuous effort to get rich no longer made sense.
Building the “Black Hole”
Determined to change, Min exchanged his land with a neighbor’s, even though it was smaller, just to gain access to the neighboring cave.
He invested 40,000 yuan, about 6,000 dollars, to transform it into his new home. The space is 50 square meters and is, according to him, everything he needs.
His daily life is simple. He wakes up around 8 a.m., dedicates the day to reading, cultivating the land, and walking.
He always sleeps at 10 p.m. and typically feeds on the vegetables he grows. According to Min, he only spends money on essentials.
Life Philosophy and Backlash
He named the place “Black Hole,” symbolically expressing that this space represents his entire universe. He also said that the name helps remind him of his own insignificance.
Despite the isolation, Min maintains an active account on social media, where he shares his routine with 40,000 followers.
Many believe he could live off live streams, but he insists he is not seeking fame or profit.
Reactions and Public Debate About the Man in the Cave
The story sparked discussions online. Some users labeled him a “tang ping,” a term used to define those who do only the minimum necessary to survive. Others see him as a modern philosopher.
There were also criticisms, questioning whether his seclusion is authentic. “He still does live streams and interviews,” commented an internet user.
Still, for many, Min Hengcai is the embodiment of the quest for total freedom.
With information from Solt China Morning Post.
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