Man aiming to pray in every city in world visits Bradford

Bradfordians were left confused when they saw Rudolph Xiaodong Nie, known as the Global Kowtow Prayer, bowing to the floor 999 times as he approached the city centre.

The Canadian man, who was born in China, told the Telegraph & Argus what he is trying to achieve.

Rudolph is six years deep into a 22-year mission to pray in every city around the world.

He adopts the three-steps-one-bow method where his forehead touches the earth 999 times for around three kilometres, equating to four hours.

So far, Rudolph has prayed for a distance of over 1,600km, visiting 543 cities in 80 countries.

This has included cities across Africa, Asia, Europe, North America, and Oceania.

Rudolph is a Canadian man, who was born in China (Image: Newsquest)

He was able to tick Bradford - the 544th city on his journey - off on his list when completing the feat on Tuesday.

Rudolph recently reached his 1,000-mile milestone when praying in the capital last month.

He said: "I have a plan to pray for people all over the world.

"Every year, I travel to 100 different cities around the world.

"I reached my 1,000km milestone in Portland, USA, in 2021 and the 1,000 mile milestone was in London on July 27, 2023.

"Bradford is my 544th city. My next city is Liverpool."

When the T&A caught up with him, Rudolph was making his way down Hall Ings. (Image: Newsquest)

Rudolph says he prays for people’s happiness, and human society to be on a virtuous cycle of development.

He stays in each city for two days before taking on the challenge, to get familiar with the route.

When the T&A caught up with him, he was making his way down Hall Ings.

Rudolph discussed what his ultimate goal is and how he is perceived in each city around the globe.

Bradford is the 544th city he has prayed in (Image: Newsquest)

He said: "I want to pray in every city in the world.

"The total distance is the equivalent to the radius of the earth, so it's about 6,372km.

"In most countries, people are very nice and friendly. Some people understand what I am doing and they say great and God bless you.

Rudolph says he prays for people’s happiness, and human society to be on virtuous cycle of development. (Image: Newsquest)

"Others they don't know what I am doing and they are curious. Some of them ask me what I am doing here. Most people show their respect.

"My goal is to spend more than 21 years travelling to each country and region in the world."