In September, Chen Jinwei, 53, a machinery company owner in China, returned home to Zhuji city, Zhejiang province, after a 33-year global journey. Currently, approximately 70 individuals in China have visited all 233 countries and territories worldwide, with Chen being one of them, according to SCMP.
His expedition began in 1993 with trips to Singapore, Malaysia, and Thailand. At that time, the internet was not widespread, and he sought to explore the world firsthand rather than relying on books and newspapers. To balance his professional and family life, he adopted a schedule of traveling for one month and then returning home for one month.
Following his initial trips, Chen continued to conquer harsh polar destinations. His journey to Antarctica required two attempts. In November 2015, he had to cancel his first voyage on the French expedition ship Le Boreal due to an electrical malfunction. He successfully set foot on Antarctica in January 2016.
Chen's greatest challenge was Tokelau, an archipelago part of New Zealand. In 2019, despite careful preparation, he was forced to cancel his trip at the last minute due to a public health incident in New Zealand. He achieved his goal of visiting the archipelago 7 years later.
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Chen with a souvenir photo from his 2016 Antarctic expedition. Photo: SCMP |
Recalling his 33-year journey, Chen shared that he contracted malaria in Africa and experienced an earthquake in Greece. These incidents helped him cultivate flexibility.
"When problems arise, the first thing is to remain calm, then find a solution," he said.
He believes that each trip is more than just a "check-in". At every destination, he tried to stay as long as possible to immerse himself in the local culture. He collected currency from 198 countries and donated it to the Xu Xiake Memorial Hall in Lijiang. Xu Xiake (1587-1641) was a renowned geographer and explorer during the Ming dynasty, considered one of China's earliest documented travel writers, akin to a modern-day travel blogger.
After 33 years of travel, Chen estimates his total expenses at approximately USD 1.5 million. He notes that travel and business management share similarities; despite ups and downs, one needs to persevere with goals.
Following more than three decades of global exploration, Chen now plans to dedicate more time to his children and parents. He intends to interview 100 influential figures in the travel and outdoor sectors to document their life stories.
He also shared his life philosophy and advised those who wish to explore the world but lament a lack of time or money: "Don't wait. Time waits for no one."
Chen's journey gained traction on Chinese social media platforms. While some online communities supported his endeavor, many contended that achieving a goal like Chen's requires both time and money, luxuries for most ordinary people.
