A photo of a soldier clad in muddy camouflage clothes exhaustedly resting beside a wall with an open lunch box in his hands went viral after it was posted online on Friday.

Corporal Li Jinlong, who was on holiday in Bijie, Guizhou province in Southwest China, volunteered to take part in flood disaster relief work in his hometown, which was battered by heavy rainstorms.

After four sleepless days helping local residents transfer themselves and their property to safety, Li was too exhausted to even eat his lunch that day. Local government officials said Li saved at least 17 lives.

The photo showing how exhausted he was after his efforts won him much praise and people called it the most beautiful sleep they had ever seen.

Bijie residents told Li he was already their hero, to which he replied it is his duty as a soldier to protect people. He went on to say that the disaster-stricken people need more media attention and help.