"Giving yourself a spontaneous trip" sounds wonderful, and many people hit the road because of it. But the romance of travel must have one important prerequisite: safety!
[Beijing girls travel to Hong Kong and stay in a budget hotel in Chungking Mansions, Tsim Sha Tsui. One 21-year-old girl was taking a shower in the public bathroom of the hotel the night before last. She returned to her room wrapped in a towel without locking the door, and was raped by an Indian man who barged in. When the police took the man away, he even gave a V-sign, which is appalling. The victim, a female student from a well-known university in Beijing, was extremely agitated and kept crying.]
Traveling, being away from familiar surroundings, makes you more vulnerable to danger.
In 2011, Wei Yin, a 25-year-old woman from Guangzhou, went missing after leaving home in mid-April to travel solo through Sichuan and Tibet. She was later confirmed to have been robbed and killed in Diqing, Yunnan. It is said that the area was quite remote. She took a motorcycle taxi, and the driver turned out to be the murderer, presumably motivated by robbery.
Travel is an expansion of life, an education, but if it comes at the cost of life, what is the meaning of travel?
Of course, we shouldn’t avoid travel altogether just because of potential dangers, nor should we be careless or complacent.
I am also someone who often travels alone, but I’ve always been very cautious. I don’t find it tiring—in fact, I think it’s necessary.
Here are some of my experiences for fellow travelers to consider:
Do your homework before departure
Don’t travel impulsively. Unfamiliar places vary greatly—avoid conflict zones, areas with political tensions, or places unfriendly to Chinese people. For example, I have no interest in the Philippines, even if there are cheap flights or beautiful scenery. Even in safe places, there may be unsafe areas. Understand these areas, as well as local taboos—for instance, Malaysians dislike having their heads touched, and some mosques do not welcome women, especially those dressed revealingly. Respect local customs to avoid unnecessary trouble due to miscommunication. Also, keep an eye on events in your travel destination. For example, if you plan to go to India, you can’t ignore the frequent rape incidents there.
Know the emergency numbers for the area you’re visiting, such as the police. Even if you don’t know them, act like you do. When I was in Singapore, I was scammed while buying a SIM card in Little India. I took a photo and threatened to call the tourist center to complain. The shop owner got scared and immediately returned my money.
Don’t show fear on your face. Don’t assume that being innocent will invite help—sometimes it might attract the wrong kind of attention.
Even if you’re really inexperienced, don’t let others see it.
Don’t rely too much on luck
Before something bad happens, everyone thinks they’re the lucky one. But criminals don’t think so. In unsafe places, don’t be overly bold. Don’t take taxis alone at night, avoid lingering in nightclubs, and don’t engage with strangers. When I was in Singapore, I met an Indian man on the street who started chatting and asked where I was from, then invited me for a drink. I pretended not to understand English and quickly walked away. Maybe he meant well, but you shouldn’t take the risk.
Stay in touch with family and friends when you’re out
Before every trip, I tell my sister where I’m going and when I’ll be back. If I’m traveling with a group, I leave her the contact information for the tour agency and the guide. After returning, I let her know immediately. Sometimes I include location info in my Weibo posts, which also shows where I am. Once, during a trip to Xiamen, I ate at a satay noodle shop several times. The owner, a couple with two kids, invited me to go hiking. They didn’t seem like bad people, so I went with them. Even so, I remained cautious and posted frequently on Weibo—both as a travel record and to maintain contact with the outside world in case anything happened in the mountains.
Essential self-defense equipment
I usually carry a Swiss Army knife when I travel. It’s convenient and better than having nothing in an emergency. Of course, I hope I never have to use it, but it’s always better to be prepared. A small bottle of Orajel oral spray can also come in handy for multiple purposes.
Necessary contingency plans and emergency skills
In January 2012, I went cycling in Hainan, riding from Haikou to Sanya, averaging over 100 kilometers per day. I wasn’t well-prepared, and the ride was tough. At the time, I decided that if I couldn’t continue, I wouldn’t push myself—I’d just take a bus or a flight back and leave the bike behind. Some things should be considered before the trip, and others may arise during the journey. Both are big tests, and you need to adapt accordingly (on that Hainan trip, I had originally planned to write a book but gave up on the idea after the first day and focused on cycling). Know what to let go of to avoid greater losses due to attachment to material things (I had chest tightness for over a month after returning from Hainan). And you don’t always have to stick to the original itinerary (some of us took the train directly from Sanya back to Haikou, while others cycled back via the central route).
Prepare relevant documents
For example, for passports and other documents, it’s best to have one or more copies in addition to the originals, including digital scans saved in your email or phone. This way, if your documents are lost, you can replace them relatively quickly. Travel insurance is also essential—it’s all about being prepared for the unexpected. I usually also carry a paper notebook with my name and basic info on the first page, in case my phone isn’t accessible (phones usually have passwords).
Don’t flaunt wealth or act ostentatiously
Female travelers often bring a lot of clothes and accessories for photos, but this can make you a target for criminals. Don’t wear your camera around your neck, especially an expensive one. Don’t appear wealthy on the outside—criminals may not be able to tell the difference between diamonds and rhinestones, and might just rob you first and get angry later if they realize they made a mistake.
Don’t show too much vanity while traveling. If your whole trip is driven by vanity, join a luxury tour and stay in five-star hotels, which are relatively safer. If you’re carrying a lot of cash, don’t keep showing it off.
Dress modestly—streets aren’t beaches. If you’re traveling on a budget and need to use public bathrooms, as in the Chungking Mansions example, don’t come out wrapped only in a towel. It’s better to dress properly and not worry about the hassle.
Romantic young women shouldn’t believe everything they see in movies. Artistic interpretations often distort reality, and a dreamy romantic journey might turn into a nightmare.
I've also been to Chungking Mansions. During the day, I left very quickly—it was too chaotic and uncomfortable.
Adopt the Right Attitude Toward Travel
What is travel really for? Everyone has their own different purposes, and some people do indeed look forward to romantic encounters along the way. Admittedly, romantic encounters are also a form of freedom, but if they put you in danger, it's up to you to judge whether it's worth it. Single girls should be especially cautious while traveling—avoid drinking with strangers and don't accept food or drinks offered by strangers. Choosing to stay with a host through couchsurfing also requires careful consideration; don’t get hurt just because you’re too kind. Some people think it’s wrong to be suspicious of others. Yes, you shouldn’t be suspicious all the time, but you should learn to observe and analyze others through small clues. Not all criminals have the face of Huang Shiren.He might look like Tang Sanzang, completely harmless, but then turn around and show his fangs. If your mental strength is up to it, please search for "Canada Slicing Murder Case – Lin Jun."
Remember, you are there to travel, not to get sick, robbed, killed, or eaten.
Only by staying safe and taking proper precautions can you fully enjoy the beauty of travel.
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