Formerly mistaken for an IS terrorist by the foreign media and then dubbed as a "madman full of illusions" by the domestic media, Liu Tuo is something of a wanderer who longs to explore endangered historical sites before they disappear.

Liu Tuo, a 26-year-old graduate student from China's prestigious Peking University, was determined to go to Iraq for an archaeological tour, not for war, and will be set free as soon as the Chinese embassy provides a document verifying his identify, according to the Beijing News.

Liu Tuo, a 26-year-old graduate student from China's prestigious Peking University, was determined to go to Iraq for an archaeological tour, not for war, and will be set free as soon as the Chinese embassy provides a document verifying his identify, according to the Beijing News.

The archaeology student had been formerly suspected to be an Islamic State (IS) terrorist and was detained by Iraqi volunteer forces before he cleared his name.

Dubbed as a "madman full of illusions" by Chinese media, Liu is just something of a wanderer in the eyes of his friends and schoolmates. The rationale behind his trip to Iraq was very simple: to explore historical sites that are at stake in the throes of violent war.

Think the unthinkable

Iraq has long been on Liu's traveling list. "As one of the oldest civilizations, Iraq is bestowed with so many tourism resources that keep captivating my soul," Liu posted on his social networking page. He rated many Iraqi cultural sites on a one to three scale that indicates his willingness to visit them. Baghdad, Mosul, Babylon and Najaf were on his must-go list.

Liu did realize that the stakes are high. In an article named "A Possible Trip to Iraq" posted on the Internet, he wrote, "considering the rising tensions in Iraq and Syria, the trip will probably not be possible in the short term."

However, as his friend Chao Chun said, dangers and threats are the least of his worries; what concerns him most are the valuable historical sites that are out on a limb in the flames of war.

"Many ancient cities like Ninevch, Hatra and Nimrud have been wiped off the map by ISIS in their relentless rampage against history, and Assyria may be their next target," Liu wrote on his blog.

Adventurous journeys

For Liu, such close calls like his capture in Iraq are not unusual.

During his trip in Cairo, Egypt, there happened to be a protest in the city's Tahrir Square. Unaware of the implicit rules, he took photos of the buildings on the square, only to be arrested by the police and wasn't set free until three or four hours later.

During his trip to Tripoli, Lebanon last New Year's Eve, he had a lucky escape from flying bombs slightly above his head when he was trying to photograph a panorama of the city amid fierce fighting between government troops and rebel groups.

Nothing stands in his way

According to his social networking page, Liu has visited as many as 900 cultural and historical sites under China's national protection and traveled 86 world heritage sites in 14 countries.

"Tiredness and danger do not stand in his way, and he will do whatever it takes to make the trip," said Chao Chun recalling their trip to an old tower when Liu insisted on visiting the building, only to fall off the wall.

Liu also injured his spine during a mudslide on a trip to visit old relics. He can no longer wear a backpack due to the accident.

"He never talks about his dreams and ambitions; he just goes out and achieves them," said Chao. "I have never heard him talking about his career goals, because archaeology has become part of his life."

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