Young Chinese Embrace ‘Iron Butt’ Travel
In China, a new trend called ‘iron butt’ travel is gaining popularity among young people. Due to high youth unemployment and low income, many are choosing long bus and train journeys over flights to save money. This trend is especially popular on social media platforms like Xiaohongshu.
Why Choose ‘Iron Butt’ Travel?
Young travellers, like 27-year-old Peng Fei, find this travel method affordable despite its discomfort. Peng has traveled through Central Asia and Europe by bus, enjoying the cost savings. The hashtag #ironbutttravel has over 19 million clicks, showing its growing appeal.
Enduring the Journey
Travellers like Lin En, 23, endure long hours in cramped seats. Lin recently completed a 46-hour bus ride from Xinjiang to Astana, Kazakhstan. Despite the discomfort, he values the cultural stories and connections made during these trips.
Redefining Travel
This travel style is redefining how young Chinese explore the world. Lin recalls a 53-hour train journey from Guangzhou to Lhasa, enjoying scenic views and a ‘down to earth’ experience. Many young people see this as a temporary phase to explore the world while they can.
Doubts Revealed
Iron Butt -: ‘Iron Butt’ is a fun way to describe people who can sit for a long time on buses or trains without getting tired. It’s like having a strong bottom that doesn’t get sore easily.
Unemployment -: Unemployment means not having a job even when you want to work. In China, many young people are facing this problem, which is why they are looking for cheaper ways to travel.
Hashtag -: A hashtag is a word or phrase with a ‘#’ sign in front of it, used on social media to find posts about the same topic. In this case, #ironbutttravel helps people find stories and pictures about long bus and train journeys.
Cultural experiences -: Cultural experiences are activities that help you learn about different ways people live, their traditions, and their history. When travelling by bus or train, people can see and learn more about the places they pass through.