Bao Xishun, a 7-foot-9-inch herdsman from Inner Mongolia, has finally tied the knot. His bride is a 29-year-old saleswoman from his hometown who stands at a mere 5 feet 6 inches tall.

The 56-year-old was confirmed as the world's tallest human being by the Guinness Book of World Records in 2005.

According to the Beijing news, Bao had sent advertisements for marriage around the world, but after "long and careful selection" he decided upon Xia Shujian.

Bao claims to have been of normal height until he was 16, when he experienced a growth spurt for unknown reasons. He reached his present height seven years later.

Bao gained international attention last December when he was credited with saving the lives of two dolphins that got sick after swallowing some plastic at an ocean aquarium in northeast China.

With an arm length of 41.7 inches, Bao easily managed to reach his hand into the stomach of each dolphin and pull out the plastic pieces, which veterinarians had not been able to remove surgically.