Be Inspired by Their Journeys.
Taking the first step is the hardest. The good thing is that there are intrepid wanderers who have made their Journeys. Take a look at their stories. Not everything will resonate, but hopefully you can take a few learnings here and there. Go forth!
Kindness, Alienation, and Humanity in East Asia
Late 20s Journey in China and Japan
I'm a Chinese American, and I've been existing in East Asia for about a month in an effort to reconnect with my own roots. When you think about modern tourism, you might think of atomized consumers wandering through highly-commercialized vacation zones, pausing to get a few brief doses of local flavor before retreating to cozy, familiar hotels. But if you have some sort of previous connection to your travel spot -- language, culture, blood -- you can unlock secret experiences, friendships, curious encounters of daily life, and a strange new lesson in what it's like to be a human. During my time in China and Japan, I got to experience the thrill of tourism mixed with the feeling of coming home.
Sichuan, China: 100 Miles in (Almost) Tibet
A 30s Male Trip to Sichuan
It should come as a surprise to no one that China is vast. Beyond the glitzy tier one cities, there exists a country with wide open grasslands, ancient pine forests, snowy mountain peaks, magnificent temples, and a heartwarming diverse group of people. It’s a place that is one of the biggest beneficiaries of the oft-talked-about poverty alleviation, yet missing from the brochure version of China showcased to the world.
Singapore: Merlion with a Thousand Faces
A 30s Male Journey to Singapore
Singapore is an immigrant country. This is obvious the moment you land – the sights and sounds and smells are intoxicating. That said, there are layers upon layers that only start to reveal itself after you’ve lived here a while…
Shenzhen, China: A Glimpse into the Past, a Step into the Future
20s Female Journey to ShenZhen
I moved to China in 2009, it was both a personal and career driven decision. Born in Belgium, raised in the UK, I realised from an early age that my ethnicity was part of who I am. It was imperative to maintain my cultural roots, and the inevitable that China would become an important player in the world….