A Chinese tourist was in for something of a surprise after he came across this bizarre-looking ‘monster’ while out camping near Beijing.

The man was camping with friends in a valley in Huairou, Beijing, when he spotted the human-like ‘beast’.

After the photographs were put online, they aroused discussion about the creature’s origin.

However, a science fiction actor appears to have settled the debate after saying he was photographed by someone while filming in the mountains.

A Chinese tourist has claimed he saw a ‘monster’ while out camping near Beijing

The tourist who took the pictures said: ‘I walked far away to have a pee, and suddenly saw a monster. I took a few pictures of it, but I am now terrified by my courage then.’

The images have sparked online speculation as to the origin of the creature, although one poster may have come up with the answer

Any debate however as to what the creature was appears to have been settled after an online commenter described being spotted while filming with friends.

The actor wrote: ‘Over the weekend I and my friends went to the mountains to take a mini sci-fi film. And when I was having a pee a person popped up and took pictures of me and shot away.’

There have been numerous claims of sightings of strange-looking creatures in recent months.

A Canadian hiker shared a video of what he thought was a Sasquatch in the mountains near Squamish, British Columbia, in April.

The video was shot by Myles Lamont two years ago while he was hiking in the Tantalus Range, north of Vancouver.

The creature appears to bear a striking resemblance to the Lord Of The Rings character Gollum

The video, which shows a minuscule black dot of a figure going up a mountain, has received over a million views since it was uploaded to YouTube.

The real Gollum is a well-known character from the classic fantasy novels by JRR Tolkien

Mr Lamont says he was able to view the subject far better than what the video portrays as it was just a simple point and shoot camera. ‘The contrast was excellent due to the snow behind the subject,’ he said.

Mr Lamont said he only uploaded the video for the benefit of a couple of friends.

‘We had no intention for it to gather the interest it has. We are not claiming this to be anything other than a strange encounter.’