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Li Ching-Yuen or Li Ching-Yun (simplified Chinese: 李清云; traditional Chinese: 李清雲; pinyin: Lǐ Qīngyún; died May 6, 1933) was a Chinese herbalist that supposedly lived to be over 256 years old. He claimed to be born in 1736, while disputed records suggest 1677. Both alleged lifespans of 197 and 256 years far exceed the longest confirmed lifespan of 122 years and 164 days of the French woman Jeanne Calment. His true date of birth was never determined. He was reported to be a herbalist, martial artist, and tactical advisor.

Legend

Some claim that Li Ching-Yuen was born in 1677 in Qijiang County, Sichuan province.  In a 1930 New York Times article, Professor Wu Chung-chieh of the Chengdu University discovered Imperial Chinese government records from 1827, congratulating Li Ching-Yuen on his 150th birthday, and further documents later congratulating him on his 200th birthday In 1877. in 1928, a New York Times correspondent wrote that many of the old men in Li's neighborhood asserted that their grandfathers knew him when they were boys, and that he at that time was a grown man.  His obituary in the New York Times reiterates these claims.  He began gathering herbs in the mountain ranges at the age of ten, and also began learning of longevity methods, surviving on a diet of herbs and rice wine. He lived this way for the first 40 years of his life. In 1749, when he was 71 years old, he moved to Kai Xian to join the Chinese army as a teacher of the martial arts and as an advisor.

One of his disciples, the Taijiquan Master Da Liu told of Master Li's story: at 130 years old Master Li encountered an older hermit, over 500 years old, in the mountains who taught him Baguazhang and a set of Qigong with breathing instructions, movements training coordinated with specific sounds, and dietary recommendations. Da Liu reports that his master said that his longevity "is due to the fact that I performed the exercises every day – regularly, correctly, and with sincerity – for 120 years."  Returning home, he died a year later, some say of natural causes; others claim that he told friends that "I have done all I have to do in this world. I will now go home." After Li's death, General Yang Sen investigated the truth about his claimed background and age and wrote a report about his findings that was later published.

He worked as a herbalist, selling lingzhi, goji berry, wild ginseng, he shou wu and gotu kola along with other Chinese herbs, and lived off a diet of these herbs and rice wine.  Li had also supposedly produced over 200 descendants during his life span, surviving 23 wives.




(http://en.wikipedia.org)

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Da Liu reports that his master said that his longevity "is due to the fact that I performed the exercises every day – regularly, correctly, and with sincerity – for 120 years." 

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He probably just had the same name as someone from 100 years ago and went along with it.

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King Klick said:

I wanna entertain this one.

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It would be fascinating to look back on 250 years of your life.

Everlong said:

He probably just had the same name as someone from 100 years ago and went along with it.

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This is more likely though.

Can-i-bus said:

It's not possible, just a hoax.

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King Klick said:

I don't know. How did he not go impotent?

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One of his disciples, the Taijiquan Master Da Liu told of Master Li's story: at 130 years old Master Li encountered an older hermit, over 500 years old

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psi said:

The guy looks like a badass.

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Learyfan said:

Here's my favorite part..........

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One of his disciples, the Taijiquan Master Da Liu told of Master Li's story: at 130 years old Master Li encountered an older hermit, over 500 years old

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This doesn't lend credibility to the story.

physicist said:

Learyfan said:

Here's my favorite part..........

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One of his disciples, the Taijiquan Master Da Liu told of Master Li's story: at 130 years old Master Li encountered an older hermit, over 500 years old

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This doesn't lend credibility to the story.

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He never said it did, just that is was his favorite part of the story.