Traveling the same way you live at home? Are you a traveler or a tourist?

▲Having traveled all over the world, do you consider yourself a traveler or a tourist? (Photo / Reporter Chen Ziying)

Tourism Center / Comprehensive Report

Do you think you're a traveler (Traveler) or a tourist (Tourist)? Blogger Nikki Fotheringham recently shared her views on the two inThe Huffington Post, where she believesthe biggest difference between a traveler and a tourist is that a tourist lives their life the same way no matter where they go, while a traveler approaches the journey with respect, craving a wonderful experience every single moment.

She believes that a tourist lives their life the same way no matter where they go—the only difference is the location—whereas a traveler kisses the earth with their feet, feels its warmth, and approaches the journey with respect, craving a wonderful experience every single moment. They walk along country paths, learn about different customs, try new foods, or even learn the local language and think about life in a different way.

If you’ve ever dreamed of strolling under the starry skies of a foreign land or walking along a distant shore, or if you can’t wait to pack your bags and step out of your comfort zone, then you have the soul of a traveler. As a traveler, you’ll leave your mark all over the world—wherever you go, you’ll leave behind your emotions, and these memories will help you grow.

A tourist lives within the framework of their own culture no matter where they go, while a traveler thinks about how to enrich themselves and how to better integrate into a new environment. The difference lies only in the heart.

We can choose countless ways to live our lives. When we fully immerse ourselves in travel, we discover completely different cultures and find so many wonderful and interesting new things that make us ask ourselves whether our original lives were truly happy. Travel opens our hearts and allows us to feel unique joys from a different perspective.

If you have the heart of a traveler, you’ll find cultures that resonate with you among the many you encounter, examine your ideals to find your true self, and throw yourself into every corner of the world to better understand who you are. Travel forces you out of your comfort zone, and after a deep exploration of life, you’ll find that you’ve become a better person—more confident, stronger, and more creative.

Travelers want to understand the culture of every city, every town, and every corner, to feel different ways of life and atmospheres. With such understanding, communication, and appreciation, such people won’t start wars because of differences, nor will they oppose others due to their own narrow prejudices.

Travel teaches people gratitude. Normally, we might envy those who drive luxury cars or carry designer bags, or we might envy our neighbors who have better jobs than us. But when we travel, we’ll realize how hard others work and how diligently they live their lives. We’ll be grateful for the life we’ve been given and how lucky we are to have everything we do.

If you want to know the meaning and mystery of your existence, go traveling. Never forget to keep your childlike heart and curiosity—there are still so many places in the world waiting for you to explore. It’s the best gift you can give yourself. What are you waiting for? Go travel.