Long journey on foot changes salesman's life

Hu Jian is on his way trekking to Tibet in 2014, with a backpack and a hand-cart filled with camping equipment, clothes. Provided to China Daily

'Good boy' quits his job to travel 4,000 km and makes many friends

After walking for 154 days from Nanjing to Tibet with 4,000 yuan ($646), Hu Jian has become an social media celebrity.

Hu, 25, quit his job and set out on the first adventure in his life without his parents' approval.

"I got bored with my life after working for three years as a salesman and warehouseman," he said. "I wanted to break my routine life, do something crazy before I get old.

"I was a good boy and never disobeyed my parents. I never traveled by myself. Although my mother called me crazy and suggested I postpone the plan, I followed my desire this time."

In March, Hu started his 4,000-kilometer journey with a backpack and a handcart filled with camping equipment, clothes and a foldable solar panel for charging batteries.

The journey turned out to be more difficult than Hu had imagined. After eight hours on the first day, he had traveled only 30 km, a distance he thought he could cover in less than five hours.

During days of heavy rain, the backpack and handcart became heavier. On hot days, all he could think about was showering. At night, he felt afraid when alone in the wild.

"Once, in a remote town in Tongling, Anhui province, I walked in the dark for several hours before finding the police station," he said. "No hotels or shops were open. Even the police station was closed. I don't remember how I survived that night.

"To guarantee my safety, I often camped next to public buildings, such as police stations and hospitals."

Trekking along roads often tested his endurance.

"I hated it when all the roads I walked in a day were uphill," said Hu. "Sometimes I had to eat wild fruit when I ran out of food. A kind of red berry found in the area between Nyingchi and Qamdo in Tibet tasted sour and bitter, but it was better than most wild fruits because it filled me up."

Hu also made many friends during the journey.

Experience posted online

"One night in Xiantao, Hubei province, I noticed a middle-aged woman was following me," he said. "After talking for several minutes, she invited me to her home, made me delicious dinner and let me take a shower. Her son also offered me a bed for a good night's sleep.

"I also met restaurant owners who gave me more food to keep my energy level up, warmhearted women who helped me to sew my backpack, and grandmothers who offered me free hot water. They all helped to make my journey possible."

Since returning to Nanjing after the journey, Hu has found a new job, posted his experience online and thanked all the people who helped him.

"The journey has changed me in many ways," he said. "I now work as a courier. It's a hard job, but I do it well. I used to be a picky eater but now eat a variety of food. I didn't used to communicate with my father much, now I do. We often drink wine together and share our experiences."

cangwei@chinadaily.com.cn