Wan Dexin poses for a photo at Jade Dragon Snow Mountain
Independent travel, ride-sharing, Dutch pay, Fish Springs Hot Spring… Can you imagine an elderly man nearing 80 peppering his speech with such trendy terms? Wan Dexin, a retired worker living in Xianlu Xincun, became a “travel enthusiast” five years ago and sets out alone every spring to explore different places. Along the way, he not only budgets carefully to save money but also indulges in local specialties and hot spring baths.
Once “forced” to travel alone
Many seniors enjoy traveling, but very few continue independent trips well into their seventies or eighties.
After his wife passed away in 2006, like many seniors, Wan first tried group tours. After a few short trips, he found them “expensive, rushed, unfulfilling, and the guides kept pushing shopping stops.”
So Wan began organizing his own trips. The first time, he gathered eight familiar veteran comrades to visit the relics of Xiaogang Village in Fengyang, Anhui. Though food, lodging, and itinerary arrangements met his expectations, the health conditions of these once-vibrant friends left him deeply reflective. Some got out of breath after a few steps, others had to stop every few steps while hiking, and some expressed homesickness right after departure…
“I thought about finding a travel companion, but their families were mostly against it, worried that something might happen on the road and their kids would come asking for them…” With his children busy and unrealistic to expect them to join, and finding a compatible travel mate not easy, Wan finally decided to go it alone.
Fortunately, his children were open-minded and didn’t oppose his decision. So in the spring of 2009, the travel-loving man set out for the first time, visiting Yixing, Liyang, Changxing, Anji, Zhejiang Grand Canyon, Huizhou… Over twenty days of travel, he only returned to Nanjing reluctantly when he ran out of clothes to wear.
Cooking his own meals and loving Fish Springs Hot Spring
“Try everything you haven’t seen, experience everything you haven’t done.” Unlike many conservative seniors, Wan is both budget-conscious and refuses to deny himself enjoyment.
Most of the time, Wan takes trains but always opts for sleeper berths; he prefers farm stays for 40–50 yuan a night but insists they have bathrooms for showers; meals aren’t about extravagance but must feature local specialties.
Wan believes the greatest joy in travel lies not just in scenery but also in food, and the latter doesn’t need to be lavish—what matters most is authenticity. For example, in Yixing he eats lily bulbs, in Anji he tries bamboo shoots, in Liyang he won’t miss Tianmu Lake fish head, in Changxing he must have ginkgo nuts, and in Jiuzhaigou he enjoys yak meat… Like some trendy travelers, Wan loves buying fresh ingredients from markets and cooking them back at his accommodation.
Moreover, Wan loves soaking in hot springs. Fish Springs Hot Spring is a recent trend where tiny fish nibble at your skin, something many young people might not even try—but Wan has long been hooked.
“As long as there’s a famous hot spring nearby, I’ll soak in it—preferably natural ones.” Wan’s favorite is Chongqing’s Nanwenquan (South Hot Spring), where he can soak all day for 40 yuan, getting tickled by the fish. He says his skin has even improved because of it.
Met many travel buddies and “shared” friendships along the way
Though traveling solo, Wan’s journeys are never lonely.
Last spring, the elderly Wan set off again from Nanjing alone, traveling through Chongqing, Wulong, Guang’an, Chengdu, Dujiangyan, to Wenchuan, Jiuzhaigou, then on to Yunnan, Lijiang, and Shangri-La… With just a suitcase, a digital camera, and a few maps sourced from Baidu, he explored southwestern China over two months.
For convenience, he often shares rides; to try more dishes, he frequently splits bills at shared tables; when accommodation is tight, he doesn’t mind sharing rooms… Along the way, he met many like-minded travel enthusiasts. Aside from routes and attractions researched online beforehand, he relies on tips shared by fellow travelers.
“Last time in Chengdu, I met a man from Shenzhen, in his fifties, also traveling alone. We toured several nearby spots together until our paths diverged, then went our separate ways.” Wan feels these chance acquaintances are precious but doesn’t bother exchanging contacts, knowing they likely won’t stay in touch after returning to Nanjing. A single encounter in a lifetime is enough. At 80, one understands that most people only accompany you for part of the journey, so it’s better to “drift apart gracefully.”
Keeps up with travel news and looks forward to independent travel to Taiwan
With spring in bloom again, Wan is planning this year’s travel route.
“I just want to see Taiwan—I’m just waiting for Nanjing to open independent travel there.” Taiwan is Wan’s most desired destination. Once, he had even completed the procedures, but plans were foiled by an earthquake in Taiwan. The travel-loving senior also keeps a close eye on related information. His favorite TV programs are CCTV-4’s Traveling in China and Across the Strait. Upon hearing that Nanjing has become one of the second batch of cities approved for independent travel to Taiwan, he eagerly awaits the opportunity to go.