At 72 years old, Gu Xiangdong and his wife, though advanced in age, have traveled across China by self-driving and joining tour groups. Together, they have covered over 200,000 kilometers and published four travel books. Their spontaneous travels were actually inspired by Gu’s wife, Gao Zhixia, who was diagnosed with late-stage breast cancer. After three years of treatment, her condition gradually improved, which prompted Gu Xiangdong to take her on journeys.
The devoted couple, both 72, make it a point to travel together periodically. Gao Zhixia openly says, “After a lifetime of companionship, the happiest times have been our 20 years of traveling.” The reason they can set off so spontaneously is closely tied to Gao Zhixia’s cancer battle.
Helping His Wife Smile Again
In 1996, 51-year-old Gao Zhixia, overwhelmed by a heavy teaching workload and immense job pressure, was unfortunately diagnosed with late-stage breast cancer. Though she gradually recovered after lengthy treatment, Gao Zhixia said, “Although I managed to beat the cancer, those three years in the hospital wore down my spirit. Watching fellow patients pass away one after another left me deeply disheartened.”
To help his wife smile again, Gu Xiangdong chose to retire and discussed organizing group tours with her to lift her spirits. At the time, their children were very worried about Gao Zhixia’s health, but Gu Xiangdong said, “I just want her to live a few more happy years without regrets.” Eventually, their children agreed to their parents’ decision.
In 1999, the couple embarked on their first trip. Introduced by friends, they joined a cycling team in Liaoning Province. Though they initially struggled with poor food, restless sleep, and anxiety, once they got into the rhythm of traveling, not only did Gao Zhixia’s mood improve, but her health also gradually recovered.
Encountering a Vehicle Rollover in Tibet
After that, Gao Zhixia took the initiative to organize their own tour groups. She personally handled everything—from buying guidebooks and researching to planning routes. Although they lived out of the car for 40 days, the couple felt especially energized. Gao Zhixia also documented their travel experiences and published them as books. Despite visiting countless scenic spots across China, the Gu couple still had two dreams: going to Tibet and taking a self-driving road trip.
Fueled by these dreams, the couple decided in 2010 to drive to Tibet themselves. Gu Xiangdong recalled nervously, “Even though we practiced driving beforehand, we still had a rollover just before reaching Tibet.” That trip transformed Gu Xiangdong from a novice driver to a seasoned one.
Since the Tibet trip, the couple has taken self-driving journeys every so often—sometimes lasting just a few dozen days, other times spanning several months. To save money, they avoid highways, opting instead for national and provincial roads, and they spend nights resting in their car rather than staying at hotels. Gao Zhixia said, “Though we eat and sleep in the car, we’re still content with life.”