Lao Zhang made 100,000 yuan ($14,500) in two months and had a grand tour of China because of his Olympic torch relay trip.

People buy souvernirs before the torch relay in Xi'an, Shaanxi province. [China Daily]

Since the Beijing Olympic torch relay started its domestic leg in Sanya, Hainan province, Zhang has visited over 40 cities in 12 provinces, driving a van to the torch relay cities, selling T-shirts, flags and other Olympic souvenirs.

"I never thought I could go to so many places in my lifetime," the businessman who is in his mid-50s said.

"At first I just wanted to earn some cash to cover my travel expenses, but making so much money makes the trip much sweeter. I am so proud of myself now."

Zhang is one of several thousand people, called "professional flame chasers" by the media, who sell Olympic souvenirs connected with the torch relay.

Some are businessmen like Zhang, some are students, some used to be office workers but quit their jobs to follow the torch relay.

"I earned about 1,000 yuan when I sold Olympic T-shirts in Guangzhou on the day of the torch relay and I thought it was a really good business," Zhang said.

The Guangzhou native then downloaded the torch relay map and schedule, hired three helpers, equipped his van with a radio and GPS, and the journey began.

Soon Zhang found it was not easy to make money all the time as competition intensified.

He said in some southern cities, there were about 5,000 vendors like him.

"The competition in this market is getting tough. If you do not plan well, you will lose money," he said.

According to the veteran, location is the most important factor. After a thorough study of the torch relay route in every city, Zhang tries to find the most popular spots along the route and make good money.

After the Sichuan earthquake, the routes were changed, which made Zhang's work harder.

"Thanks to the live torch relay radio program and my GPS, I can find the route and never get lost in a strange city," he said.

"Usually I can make several thousand yuan in every city."

The highlight of his trip, though, was to Shaoshan, one of the torch relay cities in Hunan province. Like many Chinese people in their 50s, Zhang had dreamed of visiting the former residence of Chairman Mao Zedong.

"It was so exciting to see so many people in China supporting the Olympic Games," Zhang said. "People loved buying the Olympic souvenirs, so I could make money. The Olympic Games really brings us together."