Chinese youths are turning to 'iron butt' travel trend. What is it?

Travel enthusiasts in China are turning to extreme modes of transportation for their vacations. They are part of a growing trend where the young undertake gruelling journeys lasting hours on uncomfortable seats, CNN reported. This has led them to be called “iron butt” traveller, as the trips leave their flesh feeling like metal.

The trend is known as “tieding” in Mandarin Chinese on social media. It has received 19.8 million clicks with its #ironbutttravel hashtag. Their motto is, “Those with iron butts enjoy the world first."

It is primarily a hit among university graduates who can't afford to spend a lot on vacations. However, they have a lot of free time. 

China is witnessing high youth unemployment rates, along with economic uncertainties and weak consumer demand. This has led youth to look for cheaper travel options. 

While overnight bus journeys are quite common across the world, the Chinese youth have taken it to a whole new level. They spend more than 46 hours on the bus, with occasional breaks for food. 

Most of the journey is spent sitting upright, causing most of them to suffer backaches.

Also Read: THIS flower blooms every 50 years and triggers famine in one Indian state

One of them told CNN that he sat for so long that it was as exhausting as standing. 

Way to meet people

But what motivates these "iron-butt" travellers are their experiences on these trips. Besides being cheap, it is a "down-to-earth" experience where they come across all kinds of people and their stories. 

The cheaper train and bus routes in China were meant to serve another purpose. They have served as a cheaper mode of transportation for workers who leave their hometowns for big cities to make a living. They use these buses and trains to return home because they cannot afford to take a flight.

However, with the "iron-butt travellers" now becoming a trend, it no longer is isolating.

The long train journeys also let these travellers witness natural wonders, such as the "Tibetan Plateau, vast Gobi Desert and majestic mountain ranges". They also end up chatting with others as a way to pass the time and make new friends in the process.