Girl, 9, hikes 30 cities with father

A 9-year-old girl and her father arrived in Beijing on Feb 20, ending their trek across 30 cities in China in 30 days on foot and hitchhiking.

The trip, a winter vacation adventure, was made from north to south by Feng Jinghan, a primary school student from Jinzhou in Northeast China's Liaoning province, and her father Feng Yongli.

Feng Jinghan arrives at Beijing Olympic Park on Feb 20. [Photo/CFP]

Their main purpose was to promote the upcoming Garden Expo in Jinzhou city, said Feng Jinghan.

During the first two weeks of the trip, they never stayed at a hotel, because of a tight budget. Instead, they took rest breaks in hospitals, banks and gas stations, eating instant noodles for food.

Everyday they travelled for more than ten hours. In destination cities, they only visited local landmark buildings and promoted the Garden Expo. They also visited sick people in hospitals and gave them gifts from their hometown.

The journey was much harder than they expected. "Reviewing the journey, I'm still frightened. Even if you gave me one million yuan, I would not do this again with my daughter. So dangerous," said the father Feng.

Once, at a gas station, no one would give them a lift despite the little girl explaining to more than 30 drivers before one lorry driver agreed.

Another time in Guiyang city, Guizhou province, "a woman offered me many foods and said she would help me to find my parents," said Feng Jinghan. "I didn't respond to her and sent a text message to my father who soon came out from toilet. The woman then ran away."

Feng Jinghan was peaceful about heading home. She said she will review her lessons and prepare for the new term.

Feng Jinghan and her father Feng Yongli talks to tourists at Beijing Olympic Park on Feb 20. [Photo/CFP]