Speedy Sightseeing: Chinese Tourists Embrace "Whirlwind Travel"

Imagine exploring numerous picturesque locations in a single day in a new city, catching a few hours sleep, then returning to work after a train ride home the next day. Such is the concept behind 特种兵旅游 Tèzhǒngbīng lǚyóu , aka "Whirlwind Travel" or, more accurately, "Special Troops Travel" in Chinese -- a trend that involves going on a day trip to a popular city or travel destination, seeing as many sights as possible in one day, then returning home after. As hectic as it sounds, it's become popular among young Chinese burdened by busy weekdays and limited travel budgets.

With limited time and budget, college students and young office workers depart early on Saturday mornings or on Friday nights, determined to explore as many scenic spots as possible before catching the train back on weekends or Mondays. Chinese social media has been inundated by posts documenting early morning adventures to popular spots around the country, with these wanderers catching a mere three hours sleep before embarking on another day of fast-paced sightseeing or a return trip.

Whirlwind travelers often have a tight budget as they try to save every penny they can. This means they tend to choose cheaper modes of transportation, such as trains and subways instead of taxis and flights. Budget-friendly hostels are their go-to option for accommodation. 

The origins of the whirlwind travel trend can be traced back to a Weibo post from two months ago, in which a man from northwest China is filmed exclaiming his eagerness to travel to Lhasa. The post's slogan, "You only live once! I am taking a hard seat to Lhasa!", captured the essence of this fast-paced, rapid-fire approach to sightseeing. As a result, Chinese social media has been inundated with bloggers sharing their whirlwind adventures.

The evoluition of the trend into an almost foolhardy attempt to visit as many places as possible in a day is highlighted by a viral Weibo post from a young woman who took a trip from Zhengzhou in Henan to Beijing recently. After finishing work at 6pm on Saturday, she hopped on a train at 9pm, slept on the train, and reached the capital at 5am on Saturday. In just one day, she visited six scenic spots, including Tian'anmen, Qianmen, Beihai Park, the Drum Tower, Nanluoguxiang, and Temple of Heaven, before taking a train back to Henan at 8.30pm.  She arrived in Zhenghou at 2.30am on Monday and, with less than five hours sleep under her belt, returned to work at 7.30am.

Another young traveler from Xi'an said of their own recent whilrwind trip to the capital: "I arrived in Beijing at 6am and started exploring different places right after landing, without taking any breaks. I tried some Zhajiangmian and visited eight places in just one day. Although it felt a bit rushed, I felt really accomplished."

In addition to the concept of whirlwind travel, another term has surfaced on the internet – revenge travel, or 报复性旅游 Bàofù xìng lǚyóu. This term describes the phenomenon where people have had to put their travel plans on hold during the pandemic, and now, with their newfound freedom, are eager to explore the world. 

They believe that stepping out of their homes to explore the world is a better use of their time than just watching TV. As one Beijing resident describes, "I've been waiting for this moment for a long time. I want to make the most of my time and explore as much as possible."

However, whirlwind travel style can be physically exhausting, causing backaches and leg cramps upon returning home. It can take up to a week for the body to fully recover, making it challenging to maintain a work-life balance.

The travel trend isn't without it's skeptics and critics. Many argue that some videos showcasing this trend are exaggerated and may mislead viewers into thinking they have actually visited all the spots featured in the video. 

Others believe whirlwind travel only scratches the surface of each destination, and it doesn't allow tourists to fully immerse themselves in the local history and culture of the place they're visiting. As one critic put it, "You're basically making it a routine and checking out each place and telling everybody you've been there. And that's it. With such limited time, you would have to move on to the next spot after only taking a few photos. I would prefer a deeper tour to spend more time in fewer places."

Meanwhile, some feel that this travel style is physically demanding and not suitable for all ages. To quote on traveler, "While I appreciate the opportunity to visit multiple destinations in one day, I must admit that the constant walking and lack of sleep have taken a toll on my feet and energy levels."

 Have you ever tried whirlwind travel? Let us know in the comments!

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Images: Unsplash, Weibo