According to Baidu Maps, the distance from Wuhan to Nanyang in Henan is 403 kilometers, and taking the train takes just over six hours. Yesterday afternoon, Zhen Zhuo, a junior at Hubei Youth Vocational College, packed his backpack and set off on foot from Wuhan to Nanyang.
“In previous years, going home meant either taking a long-distance bus or a train—it was pretty dull. This year, I wanted to challenge myself,” Zhen Zhuo told reporters. His biggest hobby is traveling, and the idea of walking home from school had been brewing for half a year. Worried about opposition from his parents and teachers, he quietly prepared in secret, researching outdoor hiking guides online, playing badminton and running daily to build up his stamina.
Zhen Zhuo plans to walk about 60 kilometers per day and stay at cheap roadside motels at night. He said the journey is expected to cost at least 500 yuan—more expensive than taking the train and much more physically demanding—but he believes it will strengthen his willpower and allow him to enjoy the scenery along the way, making it well worth it. He also made a pact with his dorm mates to call them at least once a day to check in.