Most of his colleagues quit after two or three years because they found the work too taxing.

Wen said that he plans to keep teaching rural students for at least a decade and added that his relatives and friends all support his decision to keep going because the work is meaningful.

Li Zhihong, the chief moderator of a calligraphy website, said that Wen has set a good example for his students by continuing to teach for such a long time.

"He has taught them that learning calligraphy requires perseverance," Li said. "Teaching is really hard work, but Wen has never complained about conditions over the years.

"Regardless of the intense heat of summer and winter's severe cold, he has never taken a day off and never missed a class."

Li added that Wen's calligraphic works have won many national and provincial awards.

Zhao Yujing contributed to this story.