Pan Ruwei unfurls a banner with "Lishui" at the summit of Mount Everest. [Photo/WeChat account: wxlishui]

At 8:55 am on May 22, Pan Ruwei, a climber from Lishui, Zhejiang province, unfurled a banner bearing the message "Beautiful Landscapes of Lishui, Hidden Gem of Jiangnan" at the summit of Mount Everest, showcasing his hometown to the world.

Born in 1977 in Songyang county, Pan had long dreamed of climbing Mount Everest. His journey began with climbs like Haba Snow Mountain in Yunnan province and Yuzhu Peak in Qinghai province, eventually leading up to the top of the world.

Pan emphasized the extensive preparation and training required for such a challenge, including running, climbing, and swimming.

A team of 31 climbers including Pan set out from Lhasa on April 10, undergoing rigorous high-altitude training and acclimation before reaching the base camp on April 17. Guided by experienced mountaineers, the team started their ascent to the summit at 2 am on April 22, with all members successfully reaching the top before 11 am.

The arduous climb tested Pan's physical and mental limits, with symptoms of altitude sickness along the way. Despite the challenges, he persevered to the summit at 8848.86 meters after nearly seven hours of climbing.

Upon arriving, Pan unfurled the banner representing his hometown, capturing the moment with photos and videos. "Henggang village in Songyang is where I was born and raised, so I specially printed the village's picture on the banner," said Pan.

Bringing the name of my hometown to the peak of Everest is my way to show my affection for where I come from, Pan remarked.