The man surnamed Qin went into hiding last year after reputedly being hired as a hitman and seriously injuring his target, in central China's Henan Province.
But on May 3, the last day of the May Day holiday, Qin emerged on the messaging and photo-sharing service WeChat with selfies taken on Wudang Mountain in Hubei Province, which neighbours Henan to the South.
The photos were forwarded by an unwitting friend of Qin's and got the attention of the police.
According to the police, Qin told them that he had joined a group of friends on the mountain tour and, believing that "the most dangerous place is the safest", even registered in a luxury hotel right beside the police station.
He posted the selfies as the relaxing trip made him complacent about his fugitive status, he said.