A young woman in China gained social media fame for travelling to 42 cities in a year for just 20,000 yuan (US$2,800). - Photo: SCMP composite/Douyin
BEIJING: A young woman in China has gained popularity on social media for traveling to 42 cities at home and abroad in the past year, all for just 20,000 yuan (US$2,800).
The 25-year-old Douyin blogger, known by the alias Xinxin, exemplifies the trend of “iron butt” travel – a movement among younger generations who seek out inexpensive tickets and are willing to spend more time on the road due to budget constraints.
Xinxin, originally from Jiangxi province in southeastern China, graduated last year with a master’s degree from a university in Yunnan province but has yet to find employment.
During her gap year, she explored 42 cities across the mainland, as well as in Russia, Thailand, and Indonesia, as reported by the news portal The Cover.
Before each journey, she diligently searched travel websites for the lowest air and train fares to maximise her savings. For instance, in January, she travelled from her hometown in Jiangxi to Murmansk, Russia, to see the northern lights for just 4,000 yuan.
This trip included a connecting flight from Wuhan, in central Hubei province, to Beijing and then Moscow, costing her 1,600 yuan. She also utilised internal flights in Russia for around 100 yuan each.
Additionally, she secured a free train ride from her hometown to Wuhan through a points exchange programme on a ticket sales website.
During her stay in Bali, Indonesia, Xinxin found a hotel that charged only 80 yuan per night.
“Many people overestimate the costs associated with travel. What truly matters is how the heart feels when preparing for a journey,” Xinxin stated.
“Before each trip, I meticulously research transport and accommodation costs, particularly focusing on uncovering hidden benefits on travel platforms.”
She noted that many users of leading mainland travel websites are unaware they can access complimentary taxi services from airports or railway stations to their hotels, provided the distance is within 5km or 10 km when they purchase tickets through these sites.
“Traveling on a budget does not equate to a poor experience. With thorough preparation, you can accomplish a lot with a minimal outlay,” she emphasised.
Xinxin expressed her enjoyment of meeting new people and gaining new insights during her travels, which also allows her to understand herself from different perspectives.
“Standing between heaven and earth, my horizons have expanded. This is the most delightful aspect of travel,” she remarked.
Other adventurous “iron butt” travellers from China include a man in his early 20s who journeyed from Yunnan to Laos, Thailand, and Malaysia over 20 days, spending only 5,000 yuan in total.
He relied solely on trains and buses for transportation. - South China Morning Post
