On the Road

COLORFUL HAZE: The inside of Buzludja in Bulgaria

Normally Zhang does some research online before setting off, but usually not very much. "I seldom read travel logs written by others. Since different people have different circumstances, it is hard to follow their experiences or use them as a reference. I prefer to be there and get my own impression. It's not vivid until you see it with your own eyes," Zhang said.

Finding your own way

Yang Xiao, a designer and photographer, embarked on her first trip by herself to Cambodia, in 2008.

She now works for qyer.com, a website where travelers can share their travel experiences and information, advocating a smarter way to travel and explore the world, making all their time and money count.

Yang's interests are different from that of most of her fellow travelers. "I love night photography and urban exploration, such as visiting abandoned buildings, factories, derelict monuments, underground tunnels and castles," she said. As a fan of photography, Yang carries a professional-grade camera and a tripod with her to take pictures at night everywhere she goes.

The "urban exploration" that Yang partakes in at night can be difficult and dangerous, but her desire to get the perfect photo wins over her fear and physical limits. Often using long exposures to create "light painting" with moving light sources, she finds a new perspective from which to discover the world, and creates her own unique form of beauty.

For Yang, the most impressive place she has visited so far is an abandoned UFO-shaped monument called Buzludja in Bulgaria. "Local people say that this giant monument is a symbol of history, the memory of a specific moment," Yang said. "The building itself represents a timeless message. For me, it is not related to history or politics, it is about eternity. I fell in love with it."

Now, Yang travels three or four times a year and has visited 20 countries. Sometimes, she goes on her own and at other times she travels with her boyfriend. As most of the places she is interested in are not popular destinations, she does a lot of research before setting off, usually starting about three months in advance. According to her, the budget needed for a 10- to 20-day trip to Europe is between 10,000 and 20,000 yuan (US$1,640-3,280).

"I think vacationing on a low budget means not comparing with other people, and exploring the world in your own way," Xiao said. "It is more about your own interests and targets and has nothing to do with those of others."

Yuan Song, who works in a state-owned company in Beijing, echoed Yang's sentiments. In 2011, Yuan drew up a plan to travel to five continents in the next three years. After visiting more than 20 countries in Europe and Asia, he realized that his plan was more about competing with friends. "It is an impulse," Yuan said. "Only after you start doing it can you realize travel is not about the number of the countries you've been to, but the process of it."

His first four trips were all to Europe and he went on every one by himself. "Before that I had never left China, and I was worried about the uncertainties. But as long as I set off, all those problems are nowhere near as difficult as I had thought they would be," Yuan said.

Food and culture are the two main attractions for Yuan when traveling. Providing his budget allows, he will try all the local food he can, learn the local language and go to theaters and concerts at night.

"I don't try to attach any spiritual meaning to traveling that would ruin it," Yuan noted. "For me, it is just about having fun and experiencing it."