Walking 30 steps a day, walking without sleeping for 48 hours, spending only a few hundred yuan during the trip, and being at the office at 8 am the next day… “commando trip” has become a popular concept in China this spring season.
On China's leading social media platforms, young people from all over the country share their special travel experiences, mood and happiness: “I traveled 30 kilometers in 1300 hours, I visited 6 tourist attractions”, “I tasted all the local delicacies in Shenyang within 24 hours ”… These posts encourage similar outings.
People wonder why "commando travel" has become popular and what lies behind it.
What is the "commando trip" experience like?
For this type of over-intensive excursion, young people often choose to set off on a Friday evening or Saturday morning, with a fuller excursion schedule prepared in advance than the lecture schedule. The aim is to see the most tourist attractions in the shortest time and with the least money. Once the goal is achieved, young people get on the train on Sunday night and are at school or at work the next morning. These teens do not feel tired or resist fatigue despite walking tens of thousands of steps a day.
While travel used to be the poetic slow life that people sought, now it has become a sport similar to the training of commandos, pushing the limits of young people's bodies.
According to a report by a research organization, at the beginning of 2023, more than 70 percent of young people intend to leave their homes and travel. It was announced that the number of trips to the environment planned by these young people for 2023 is 3,7 and the total travel length is 17 days.
The “commando trip” program is usually a decision that a teenager makes in his spare time. Many young people who have the idea of “let's go somewhere this weekend” immediately open ticket applications and often buy high-speed train tickets.
While some young people are waiting for the return flight at the high-speed train station, a new idea suddenly comes to mind and directs him to another train. After getting on the return train, when he learns that the train will pass through an interesting place, he immediately changes his mind and goes to that place. Plans are flexible and can be changed instantly.
So far, youth destinations have generally been the most popular tourist cities. For example, landmark cities such as Beijing, Shanghai, Xi'an, Chengdu, Hangzhou, Wuhan, Chongqing, Nanjing… Since many tourist attractions are densely packed in these cities, it is possible to plan the itinerary punctually.
An internet user included several cities in his itinerary for a weekend. The Bund district in Shanghai, called the Waitan, in the Tiananmen Square in the center of the capital Beijing, the national flag hoisting ceremony toured the Orange Island in the city of Changsha.
“Commando trip” is after high cost performance. Without private travel funds, young people save and save either on living expenses provided by their parents or on a small salary. If he can spend the night on the train, he will never spend hotel money. Local and foreign fast food restaurants such as McDonald's or Haidilao are among his preferences.
Why has the “commando trip” become fashionable?
It is argued that “commando travel” is a new type of travel that people of certain age groups choose at certain times.
Since the beginning of this year, China's tourism market has been steadily heating up. In the spring season when the flowers bloom, people always want to get out of the house and go outside. According to current data, the amount of domestic trip reservations for the 1-day holiday to be held for May 5, Labor Day increased by 2019 percent compared to 200. This was the highest level in the last 5 years. Being in touch with nature is a more common feeling among young masses. Due to COVID-19, many young people have not had a chance to travel long distances. They believe it's time to travel now.
Embracing the world with warmth, young people brought fame to many cities and touristic places through short videos or vlogs. For example, the narrow passage to the top of Taishan Mountain is crowded with people every day, more crowded than the morning subway. Young people who climb to the top of the mountain, which is seen as the most difficult to climb, share their experience and shout the slogan "Youth has no selling price, Taishan is under your feet".
Despite having little spare time and money, running around may not be an ideal form of travel for young people, but it is still among the young people's favorites. The travel programs written by university students on social communication platforms seem cramped, while people are amazed by their logical planning and creativity.
The ancestor of the "commando travelers" in China is Xu Xiake. Xu, from the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), writes in a diary he wrote that he got on the boat in the morning, came to a place called Kunshan in the evening after covering 35 kilometers, then set off again and crossed the other side after 5 kilometers. Xu traveled all over China for 30 years and published Xu Xiake's Travel Notes.
Good connectivity between China's cities is another important factor that makes the youth's busy travel schedule possible. The public transportation network, which is getting perfect day by day, expands the areas to be visited, shortens the travel time and length, and provides opportunities for intercity trips in a short time. For this reason, cities with dense tourist attractions and easy access to trains, high-speed trains and urban public transportation were among the most popular destinations. “Commando trip” left good moments in the memory of the youth.
Is there any good side to "commando tour"?
There are discussions on the internet about the "commando trip". There are those who are jealous, there are also those who doubt, "What can be achieved in such a fast trip?" In addition, question marks such as security concerns, how to maintain a balance between travel and work or studies make people think. Many “commando travelers” complain of leg pain and insomnia after the trip. In other words, it is not easy to maintain a balance between travel and work or classes.
Chinese society is of the opinion that young people should be given more attention and allowed to get to know the world more comfortably. For example, universities are encouraged to organize a field trip suitable for young students or arrange a spring break to allow students to search. In order to attract young people, cities can prepare personal travel programs and provide affordable accommodation, public recreation facilities can be placed around the most popular tourist attractions, and develop products that are popular with young people. Thus, even a “commando trip” can leave a deep impression on young people.