Earlier in February Dykes arrived in Yibin, Sichuan. As a volunteer of the China Biodiversity Conservation and Green Development Foundation, he took part in a number of environmental protection programs with the local Fish Protection Center and released dozens of endangered Chinese sturgeon into the Yangtze.

"Mission Yangtze is not only a human feat and world first, it's a mission to showcase the true beauty and wonders of China, (and) highlight the environment and positive work being done to protect it," he wrote on his social media WeChat account.

Cecille Elbeleidi, British Consul General in Chongqing, called Dykes "an excellent example of UK's dynamic and adventurous spirit." "I'm particularly pleased that, along with his expedition, he has been actively promoting environment conservation, reduced use of plastics and wild life protection," she told China Daily.

Thanks to technology, people can track Dykes' location every five minutes on his personal website (ashdykes.com). He also updates his journey on Sina Weibo, WeChat, Instagram, Twitter and Facebook.

Even as Dykes, and before him his companions, endured hardship, the huge diversity of nature and culture along the way deeply impressed him. "There are a lot of changes along the Yangtze, from freezing plateau to subtropical. I'm amazed by the beautiful landscape and rich culture."