With Valentine’s Day approaching, in order to spend this romantic day with his girlfriend in Jinzhou, Shenyang young man Xiao Li made a somewhat “crazy” choice: he planned to walk 280 kilometers in nearly four days to be with his girlfriend in Jinzhou for Valentine’s Day.
At 4 a.m. on February 10, while most people were still asleep, Xiao Li set off from his home on Changbai Island with a nearly 30-pound backpack, embarking on this “love-chasing journey.”
Netizen report
He walked to Jinzhou to be with his girlfriend
“My iron buddy decided to prove his devotion to love by hiking alone to Jinzhou to see his beloved girlfriend. Such a touching thing. How could I not share it?” Yesterday, netizen “Mr. Zhang Boqiang” revealed on Weibo that his good friend had set off from Shenyang to Jinzhou to be with his girlfriend for Valentine’s Day. What made it unique was that while others would take trains or buses, he chose to rely on his own two feet.
Regarding his good buddy’s move, “Mr. Zhang Boqiang” thought it was great—it showed he hadn’t been worn down by life and still had some passion burning inside.
“Mr. Zhang Boqiang’s” Weibo post attracted attention from many netizens. Netizen “Pureheiye” commented: “That’s intense!” Netizen “Xuanxuan” felt that as a girl, having gone through something similar, she’d actually be scared and find such behavior a bit obsessive.
Total distance: 280 kilometers
“Young people should experience more”
Xiao Li is the good buddy mentioned by “Mr. Zhang Boqiang,” a sophomore at a university in Shenyang. Yesterday afternoon, when reporters reached him, he had already arrived in Liaozhong County. Xiao Li said that since walking on highways isn’t allowed, he had to choose provincial roads. The full journey from his home on Changbai Island to downtown Jinzhou is expected to cover over 280 kilometers, with an estimated arrival in Jinzhou by the evening of February 13.
Xiao Li told reporters that he is very fond of hiking and has often walked back from his school in Shenbei to his home on Changbai Island. The reason he chose to walk to Jinzhou was partly to be with his girlfriend for Valentine’s Day, but also to challenge his own limits in terms of walking time and distance. “To be honest, after the New Year, things got pretty boring. Most classmates either partied or stayed home playing online games. I felt it was pointless for a college student to waste the entire holiday repeating those things. It’s better to pack a backpack, go out for a walk, relax the mind, and get some exercise—it’s quite nice.” Xiao Li said that although his girlfriend thought his plan was a bit unreliable, she ultimately supported it and urged him to stay safe.
Although his friends thought the decision was unwise, Xiao Li felt it was worth a try, and for safety reasons, he might choose to take transportation on certain sections.
“There’s no time like the present. I’ve always been someone who loves adventure, often going out and exploring. When you’re young, you should experience more. Otherwise, when you’re old and feel you’ve missed out, you’ll regret it. I think when I’m 60 and look back on this experience, I’ll be happy because I lived it, I was young, I tried. Although many may see this as reckless, as Dante said, ‘Follow your own path, and let people talk.’” Xiao Li said.
Still taking action
Has “remotely” asked a friend to book roses
Although it’s his first time covering such a long distance, he’s not going in unprepared. Xiao Li said he spent a week preparing all the maps and notes, marking every intersection along the way with a pencil—so this wasn’t an impulsive act, just a trial.
So what’s the attitude of Xiao Li’s parents toward this seemingly “crazy” move? Xiao Li said: “My dad is really into outdoor activities and photography, so he supports me and gave a lot of advice, especially about not walking at night. My mom didn’t agree at first, but after my dad and I patiently persuaded her, she finally agreed. Still, she’s worried and keeps calling to check in, and she’s always monitoring my WeChat Moments.” Xiao Li said he’s already asked a friend in Jinzhou to help book roses, and the moment he sees his girlfriend, he plans to say “Happy Valentine’s Day.”