Wang Fuman Walked 3 Miles in Freezing Cold for His Exam

When an 8-year-old arrives at school with hair frozen solid, cheeks bright red, and no gloves in sight, it’s the kind of image that shakes a country.

That’s exactly what happened when photos of Wang Fuman — instantly nicknamed “Ice Boy” — spread across China. His story didn’t just go viral; it reopened a huge conversation about poverty, education, and what it really means for children to “just work hard.”

The Exam Morning That Changed Everything

Wang Fuman, a primary school student from a rural part of Yunnan province, had one big thing on his schedule that morning: an important exam.

What he didn’t have was transportation.

So, like he did most days, he set out on foot. But this time, temperatures had dipped below freezing, and the wind cut through his thin clothes. By the time he reached the school gates — after walking roughly three miles — his hair had turned white with frost. His eyebrows, eyelashes, and even the edges of his jacket were stiff with ice.

Teachers snapped a photo the moment he walked in. In it, he’s smiling shyly, cheeks swollen from the cold. That picture raced across Chinese social media within hours.

He Still Scored a 99 Out of 100

Despite the conditions, despite the cold, despite everything standing in the way — Wang sat down for his exam and scored 99 out of 100.

For many people online, that was the detail that turned this from a cute viral moment into something much bigger. It wasn’t just about one boy with frozen hair. It was about what children in rural China still endure to access even the most basic education.

From Viral Image to National Debate

The BBC and other international outlets quickly picked up the story, framing it within a broader issue: child poverty in China’s rural regions.

China often highlights how much progress it has made in reducing poverty nationwide — and that progress is real. But the photo of Wang became a reminder that millions of families still live far from city centers, where winter coats are a luxury and school commutes can feel like survival challenges.

The debate grew loud:

• Should rural schools receive more funding?
• Why do kids need to walk miles in extreme weather just to take an exam?
• Can a country be considered prosperous when access to education looks like this for so many?

Officials eventually stepped in, promising support for Wang’s school and students facing similar conditions. Donations also poured in from the public.

A Symbol That Stuck

Wang Fuman didn’t choose to become the face of rural hardship. He was just trying to make it to class. But his photo remains one of the most powerful images of childhood resilience — and one that pushed an entire nation to confront inequality that often stays out of sight.

You might also want to read: China Fires Back: Retaliatory Tariffs After Trump’s 100% Threat