He's 111, still adds sugar to his cereal, plays cards and goes for morning walks, but his simple secrets to living beyond 100 will melt your heart

For most people, doctors’ advice to “cut down on sugar” comes long before their 80s. But not for Zhan Changcheng, a 111-year-old man from Wanyao Village, south of Shanghai, who insists that life is simply better when it tastes sweet. Born on March 17, 1914, Zhan has lived through wars, regime changes, and more than a century of history — yet still enjoys his sugar, wine, and a good laugh with friends.

Zhan’s timeline stretches far beyond what most living humans can imagine. He was born before the First World War, saw the Warlord Era, the Second Sino-Japanese War, and the Chinese Civil War, and has lived through over 76 years of communist rule. Despite his age, he remains alert, sociable, and spirited — often joining neighbors for card games and walks around his home village.

Sugar, and plenty of it
According to a report by Mirror, Zhan’s family reveals that he simply cannot live without sweets. He insists that even plain rice must be sweetened, and his family goes through three to four kilograms of sugar every month. His daughter-in-law, Cai Alu, shared, “This morning he got angry because his cereal wasn’t sweet enough.”

Surprisingly, regular health check-ups show no alarming blood sugar levels, making Zhan a medical marvel of sorts.

Discipline and daily routine
Behind his sugar cravings lies a man of great discipline. His 72-year-old son, Zhan Yingtong, describes his father as “obsessive about cleanliness and routine.” Zhan still brushes his teeth three times a day, wakes up at 5 a.m., and takes a morning walk to “feel the sun on his face.”

Even at his age, Zhan maintains independence and insists on grooming himself every morning. His attention to hygiene and self-care, his family believes, is one of his true secrets to longevity.

The craftsman who never retired
For more than 50 years, Zhan worked as a bamboo weaver, training dozens of apprentices and becoming a respected craftsman in Pingyang County. As reported by What’s The Jam, he still meets three fellow weavers — all several decades younger — to share stories and techniques.

His passion for weaving, much like his love for sweets, has kept him mentally and physically active even past the age of 100.

Zhan still enjoys a glass of wine most days, another ritual he refuses to give up. Though once a heavy smoker, he quit after family persuasion, but still carries a packet of cigarettes to offer guests — a reflection of old-school courtesy and warmth.

“He has never needed luxury,” said his son Yingtong. “He’s content with a bowl of rice and a jug of water.”

Living proof that joy adds years
In a village where 22 residents are over 90 and two have crossed 100, Zhan stands as a living testament to the power of simplicity, kindness, and a little indulgence.

Now recognized as China’s second-oldest living person, just behind Zhou Renqing, who turns 112 this month, Zhan’s philosophy seems to be that life, much like his rice, is best enjoyed when it’s sweet.