A baseball cap, a light-colored sweater, and casual pants—just from his outfit, you can sense the vibe of freedom. He Xiaokang, 65 years old this year, lives in Swan Community, Baoding, Hebei Province. He has been involved in outdoor travel for ten years now. Despite being over sixty, he still looks as energetic as a young person.
Whether traveling solo through the joys of Sichuan or teaming up to cross deserts, He Xiaokang says the meaning of travel lies in courage and experience. Before retiring, he used his holidays to explore nearby destinations, experiencing outdoor trips every week. After retirement, with ample time on his hands, he gradually discovered the joy of being a “professional” traveler.
Opening He Xiaokang’s blog, you’ll find that the stored photos have reached 17,000. “These simple images are not just the scenery along the way, but also life’s gifts to me,” He Xiaokang said with deep satisfaction. “This is a snow mountain, this is the Shunan Bamboo Sea…” Pointing at the photos, he can name each one’s origin. Among them, there are moments of thrill and also of touching emotion.
One year, when he traveled to Tibet with friends, before getting on the bus, an experienced “veteran traveler” reminded everyone to bring portable oxygen bags in case of sudden altitude sickness. But before reaching their destination, a woman on the bus began to show severe symptoms of altitude sickness. Her oxygen bag was almost empty, and if she didn’t get enough oxygen, her life could be in danger. Relying on his good physical condition, He Xiaokang resolutely gave her his own oxygen bag, buying her precious time to return to camp. “The two things I fear most when traveling are getting sick and losing money. So far, I’ve avoided both, and that’s also because I make detailed travel plans beforehand. Necessary preparations before departure are essential—you can only truly enjoy the trip when safety is ensured.”
Over the years, he has traveled across the length and breadth of the country, from Tengchong in the north to Hainan in the south. “I think the best version of myself is the one on the road. I’m still young—I’ve only just begun my journey!” He Xiaokang said with a smile.