Liu Qiyuan Chinese farmer and furniture maker Country: China

1. Chinese Farmer and Furniture Maker Prepares for the End of the World
2. Preparation for the End of the World
3. Biography of Li Ciyuan

Chinese Farmer and Furniture Maker Prepares for the End of the World

Li Ciyuan, a 45-year-old furniture maker and farmer, has taken the stories about the impending end of the world on December 21st, 2012 seriously as the "doomsday" date approaches. While some have lost faith in the impending cataclysms, Li is preparing himself and others for the end by building his own "Noah's Ark". However, his creation greatly differs from the biblical tale of the giant ship capable of accommodating "every creature two by two". Instead, the Chinese master craftsman has constructed several enormous spheres. Currently, Li has seven completed or nearly completed protective spheres. Each one is designed to hold 14 people (although, theoretically, it could provide shelter for up to thirty individuals within two months). According to Li, the thick layer of fiberglass wrapped around a steel frame is capable of protecting against any form of natural disaster, whether it be raging waves or hellish flames. The spheres are coated with a special fireproof material on the outside and equipped with safety belts on the inside, which could prove handy if the sphere were to encounter turbulent waves.

Preparation for the End of the World

Li Ciyuan began preparing for the end of the world after watching the disaster film "2012" released in 2009. Initially, his neighbors thought he was taking what he saw too seriously and considered him a madman. However, some eventually joined his cause. At first, Li planned to build a simple, spherical-shaped house, which theoretically could withstand earthquakes that frequently occur in China. Eventually, the project grew into something more significant - a universal means of rescue. By the way, Li is not the only Chinese person seriously preparing for Armageddon. A certain entrepreneur from eastern China has already spent around 5 million yuan on his "Noah's Arks", and similar rescue domes are being constructed in other parts of the country. The authorities have already issued an official statement stating that the end of the world is not foreseen in the near future and recommend that residents trust more reliable sources.

Biography of Li Ciyuan

Li Ciyuan is a 45-year-old Chinese farmer and furniture maker. He gained notoriety for his serious preparations for the predicted end of the world on December 21st, 2012. After watching the disaster film "2012" in 2009, Li became convinced of the potential cataclysmic events that could occur and decided to build his own "Noah's Ark". His construction, however, differs greatly from the biblical account. Li has constructed several enormous spheres, with seven already completed or nearly completed. Each sphere is designed to hold 14 people, although it could potentially shelter up to 30 individuals for two months. The spheres are made of a steel frame wrapped with a thick layer of fiberglass, providing protection against various natural disasters. Li has coated the spheres with a fireproof material on the outside and equipped them with safety belts on the inside. The cost of building each sphere was approximately 300,000 yuan (around $46,000), which included not only the structure but also supplies of air, water, and food. Li's preparations for the end of the world began after watching the film "2012", and he was initially viewed as eccentric by his neighbors. However, he later gained some support and became part of a growing movement of Chinese people getting ready for potential disasters. Despite official statements from the authorities denying the impending end of the world, Li and others remain committed to their preparations.