Post-90s university students, who love traveling and adventure, pack their bags and set off on a whim. Whether cycling in groups or venturing out alone, though their methods differ, they’ve gained a lot this summer by challenging themselves. What thrilling experiences await them on their journeys? Let’s take a look—
A 20-day traverse of the Sichuan-Tibet Highway, a solo journey spanning over 2,000 kilometers.
From Chengdu to Tibet, passing through more than ten cities, Hong Zhihua, a sophomore majoring in mathematics and computer science at Fujian Normal University, completed this trip by hiking and hitchhiking.
These past two days, Hong Zhihua has been documenting his 20-day experience online with photos and text, sharing the insights he gained from the journey.
“University is the time to do what you love, challenge yourself, and avoid regrets later,” he said. Why not make the most of it by traveling as far as possible with minimal expenses?
After finishing his exams in July and returning home, he packed lightly and set off. On the 5th, he took a train to Chengdu, officially beginning his journey.
The trip wasn’t as easy as Hong Zhihua had imagined—challenges arose constantly along the way.
He thought hitchhiking would be simple, but reality turned out quite differently. “Not all drivers are willing to give you a ride; many refuse outright, and even if they agree, there might not be space,” Hong Zhihua said. Once he entered Tibet, hitchhiking became especially difficult—sometimes waiting four or five hours without success, leaving him to walk slowly along the road alone.
Hitchhiking was hard, and so was finding accommodation, often in desolate deserts. “Sometimes there weren’t even shops around, with no water or food, plus the altitude sickness—it was truly despairing.”
However, Hong Zhihua felt that this trip was also incredibly fortunate, as he met many kind-hearted people along the way. It was these heartwarming little moments that gave him the courage to persevere through the difficulties.
“In Xinzhaiqiao, I was walking alone on National Highway 318 when a Tibetan brother and sister greeted me with ‘Tashi Delek.’ Though I couldn’t communicate with them, hearing those words at that moment felt incredibly warm.”
“When I told a local uncle I was heading to Tianquan County and learned I had 20 kilometers left to go, he insisted I rest at his home before continuing and even filled up my water bottle with hot water before I left.”
Along the road, some truck drivers even stopped to ask if he needed a ride. After learning he was headed to Tibet, they offered plenty of advice, especially on how to prevent altitude sickness.
Throughout this journey, Hong Zhihua had all kinds of unique experiences—running into the same fellow traveler in different places, taking photos of a guy proposing with a flag on Juébà Mountain. He stayed in hostels, tents, Tibetan homes, and rode in cars, trucks, and even open-top farm vehicles. In just these 20 short days, he experienced a life he had never known before.