News
China lets in 'French Spider-Man' to boost tourism
16 November 2007
A daredevil climber known as the 'French Spider-Man' has been allowed into China as authorities hope that his presence will boost tourism, according to reports.
Alain Robert was expelled from the country earlier this year for illegally scaling various buildings, but has been re-admitted to climb part of a mountain, a task that he will attempt this weekend, Xinhua News Agency reports.
Mr Robert arrived in Changsha, capital of Hunan Province, this week to prepare for his attempt to scale a section of Tianmen Mountain, which is hoped to attract a number of curious tourists to the area.
The peak of Tianmen is 1,518 metres from the ground and the extreme climber will attempt to ascend a massive cave on the mountain with no protective equipment on his hands or indeed any other mountaineering gear.
Mr Robert reportedly said he was confident of achieving his goal because he completed a similar feat in the province five years ago.
In 1996 the Frenchman climbed the Far East Finance Centre in Hong Kong and this year he scaled Shanghai's tallest building, the 88-storey Jin Mao Tower, wearing a Spider-Man suit and without notifying the local authorities, which led to his expulsion from China.
He is scheduled to leave the country two days after his climb.
Opodo is a leading online travel company offering flights, hotels, rental cars and holidays worldwide. Search for travel deals.
© Adfero Ltd
Alain Robert was expelled from the country earlier this year for illegally scaling various buildings, but has been re-admitted to climb part of a mountain, a task that he will attempt this weekend, Xinhua News Agency reports.
Mr Robert arrived in Changsha, capital of Hunan Province, this week to prepare for his attempt to scale a section of Tianmen Mountain, which is hoped to attract a number of curious tourists to the area.
The peak of Tianmen is 1,518 metres from the ground and the extreme climber will attempt to ascend a massive cave on the mountain with no protective equipment on his hands or indeed any other mountaineering gear.
Mr Robert reportedly said he was confident of achieving his goal because he completed a similar feat in the province five years ago.
In 1996 the Frenchman climbed the Far East Finance Centre in Hong Kong and this year he scaled Shanghai's tallest building, the 88-storey Jin Mao Tower, wearing a Spider-Man suit and without notifying the local authorities, which led to his expulsion from China.
He is scheduled to leave the country two days after his climb.
Opodo is a leading online travel company offering flights, hotels, rental cars and holidays worldwide. Search for travel deals.
© Adfero Ltd
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