There are many ways to travel around the world, but Ke Shichang, a 54-year-old from Dalian, chose to do it by hiking. Starting on May 18 of this year, Ke has hiked over 2,400 kilometers to reach the ancient city of Xianyang.
Carefully Planned Global Journey Begins
On October 18, reporters met the dark-complexioned yet spirited Ke Shichang. At the time, he was walking along Renmin Road with a travel backpack weighing about 45 pounds. Starting from his hometown of Dalian, Ke has hiked through Liaoning, Beijing, and other places, arriving in Xianyang on October 16.
It is understood that after three to four years of planning and more than a year of careful preparation, Ke Shichang officially began his global hiking journey on May 18 with 10,000 yuan. He chose a route between 30 and 60 degrees north latitude, walking everywhere except when crossing seas, which required flights.
The Meaning of Life: "Chasing Dreams"
"Actually, I’ve had the dream of traveling around the world since I was a child, but I wasn’t able to realize it for some reasons. My mother’s situation made me more determined to pursue the dream of hiking—it allows me to exercise while also learning about the culture and history of different parts of China and even abroad," said Ke Shichang. In 2003, when his mother fell seriously ill, he quit his job at the bank to take care of and accompany her. Three years later, after his mother passed away, the experience made him deeply appreciate the value of life and sparked his love for hiking. That’s when he began to nurture his long-held dream—traveling around the world.
Xianyang Has a Long History and Warm People
Upon first arriving in Xianyang, Ke Shichang, guided by kind locals, visited the Sanyuan Chenghuang Temple as his first stop, followed by sites such as the tombs of King Wen and King Wu of the Western Zhou Dynasty. Reflecting on his experiences, Ke said, "Xianyang not only has a long history, but the people here are even warmer." During the interview, a local resident, Mr. Luo, expressed admiration for Ke’s spirit and warmly invited him to a meal. "Let him replenish some energy and get some nutrition, so he can realize his dream sooner," said Mr. Wang.
Good News Received in Xianyang, Dubbed a "Lucky Place"
At the end of the interview, Ke Shichang’s companion Cao Mingliang’s phone rang. "I have a grandson now, I’m a grandfather—Xianyang is truly a lucky place." After answering the call, Cao Mingliang couldn’t hide his joy. But the good fortune didn’t stop there—Ke Shichang suddenly noticed that the strap on Cao Mingliang’s backpack had broken. "Luckily we noticed it in time, otherwise out in the wilderness, it would’ve been tough. Xianyang really keeps giving us surprises."
Before leaving, Ke Shichang and Cao Mingliang packed up their backpacks, said goodbye to Xianyang, and headed toward their next destination...