"Perhaps the wrong person was caught, " police in Luoyang told the newspaper.

BBC: China beating: Anger after man mistaken for petitioner

Mr Zhao was later found unconscious on a road in Luoyang city.

BBC: China beating: Anger after man mistaken for petitioner

Their pilgrimage took them to the cultural treasures at Luoyang and Xian, both sites of ancient capitals, the old trading post of Dunhuang and, of course, Beijing and the Great Wall.

CNN: WOMAN WARRIOR