Goa, June 13 -- Min Hengcai, a 35-year-old from China's Sichuan province, shocked social media when he chose to leave behind the urban grind for a life of solitude in a cave. Formerly a ride-hailing driver earning $1,400 a month, Min toiled through 10-hour shifts to repay family debts. However, after relatives sold his properties and financial pressures mounted, he became disillusioned with city life.

In 2021, he made a drastic shift-trading his remaining land for a smaller plot that included a 50-square-meter cave. He spent $6,000 to make the space habitable and walked away from his $42,000 bank debt.

Min now leads a simple life. He rises at 8 am, spends his day reading, walking, farming, and retires to bed by 10 pm. With a focus on se...