During the pandemic, a hot topic was: "Which country do you most want to visit after the global pandemic ends?" Many people would say, "The world is so big, I want to see it." That's right, because of the pandemic, many people's plans have been disrupted. Many people planned to travel abroad or had already made arrangements, but the pandemic put a stop to it. The sudden outbreak caught everyone off guard. The negative impact of this COVID-19 pandemic on the global tourism industry cannot be underestimated. Many travel platforms have canceled millions of orders. It is estimated that the losses in the tourism industry during the pandemic may exceed one trillion.
Now that the pandemic in China has subsided, life has basically returned to normal. To ensure that the economy can gradually return to normal, China has begun negotiations with neighboring countries to discuss whether to relax entry restrictions. This is good news for both business people and those who want to go out and "see the world."
I am also very interested in traveling abroad, and I would like to share a few places I would go if I could travel abroad.
My first choice for traveling abroad is Southeast Asia, mainly because of the budget. If I go to European countries, the airfare takes up a large part of the budget. Southeast Asia is not far from China, and the average airfare is just over a thousand, plus the cost of living in Southeast Asia is not high, and there are many delicious food spots to explore. Thailand is known as "the most suitable tourist country." Apart from Bangkok, the cost of living in other regions of Thailand is much lower than in Europe and the United States, and also lower than in our first and second-tier cities.
I really like to eat Thai durian, especially the Musang King variety, but most of it is imported from Thailand, and the price is not cheap. According to statistics, from 2020, at least over 80% of Thai durian was consumed by Chinese consumers, so if I have the opportunity to go to Thailand, I must try a durian buffet to satisfy my cravings for the durian that is so expensive in China.
If you go to Thailand and don't eat seafood, then you might as well not go. Thai seafood is famous for being large, cheap, and fresh. I have seen many travel enthusiasts online sharing their seafood experiences in Thailand, with shrimp that are big and plump, and the roe slowly oozing out, grilled to enhance the flavor, paired with many secret sauces from Thailand, it's simply a feast prepared for food lovers like me.
Why do I want to go to Thailand? Budget is a big reason, and the second is because of a movie—"Detective Chinatown." At that time, this movie was very popular, and I really enjoyed it. Besides Wang Baoqiang's comedic performance, many "features" of Thailand made me curious about the country, such as the many temples and "ladyboys," etc. So I thought that if I had the chance, I could go and see for myself. Of course, not for the ladyboys, but to experience the exotic culture.
Besides Thailand, the second country I want to visit is Japan. Initially, my understanding of Japan came from studying the history between China and Japan, whether from history or some film and television programs. But Japan is also a very famous tourist country. Japan's JIMC (Japan Inbound Tourism Media Alliance) once published a report on "Chinese Tourists' Intentions to Visit Japan," and after the pandemic, Japan has become the most desired destination for Chinese people.
Let me talk about why I want to go to Japan. First, there are many human-centered designs in Japan. In Japan, many services and even products are designed with consideration for others. For example, the famous Japanese toilet seats that can heat up and spray water, etc. Many food packages are designed to make it convenient for you to enjoy the food. I find these things very interesting because they are rare in China.
The second reason is the politeness of the Japanese people. If you have seen some videos, for example, when eating at Ichiran Ramen, the waiter bows at a 90-degree angle after serving the food. Japanese people are also very clean; the streets are extremely clean, and waste sorting is very strict. Japanese people have their own system for handling post-meal waste. I think the high quality of the Japanese people makes me feel comfortable and is worth learning from while traveling.
The third reason, which I admire and respect the most, is the Japanese spirit of craftsmanship. The Japanese spirit of craftsmanship is reflected in the extreme attention to detail in small things. For example, the famous sushi master in Japan, who has perfected the art of sushi-making, even at an old age, insists on the quality of ingredients and makes sushi by hand. Additionally, Japan has nurtured a car culture and brands that fascinate car enthusiasts worldwide. Because of the Japanese spirit of craftsmanship, they take car research very seriously. If you are a loyal fan of Japanese cars, you must know the legendary red-headed Honda and the small-displacement, high-power rotary engine, as well as the renowned Godzilla GTR. My family drives a Toyota Corolla, which is the best-selling car in the world.
If I have the opportunity to go to Japan, I will definitely visit Mount Fuji, which is Japan's highest peak and an active volcano. In winter, the cherry blossom trees around it are also very beautiful, with Mount Fuji clad in white armor and surrounded by cherry blossom trees, making it a popular tourist spot. I especially like Eason Chan's song "Under Mount Fuji," which can be said to have drawn me into this fascination.
Sometimes, travel is not only for relaxation but also to meet more people, broaden one's horizons, and learn something. The three years of the pandemic have taught me a lot; life is so short and fragile. After the pandemic ends, I hope to visit all the places I have always wanted to go but couldn't, as long as my finances and time allow. Human life is limited, and we should try to see and understand as much of this world as possible. However, I also have a very contradictory question: human life is so limited, but the mysteries of the Earth are countless, and the universe is vast and infinite. Can humans really explore it all?