More and more young people in China are opting for long, uncomfortable bus and train rides instead of taking flights. This growing trend is being embraced by adventurous travellers who call themselves “iron butt” travellers. The name comes from the amount of time they spend sitting on hard, uncomfortable seats for hours or even days.

One of these travellers, 23-year-old Lin En, chose to travel by bus from Xinjiang, in northwest China, to Astana, the capital of Kazakhstan. A flight would have taken just six hours, but the bus ride took him three days. The trip was tough—he spent 46 hours on the bus with little rest and lots of back pain. Despite this, Lin has continued to travel by bus and train, enjoying the challenge and the chance to visit more places for less money.

"Iron butt travel lets me visit more places for less money.”

Peng Fei

See More For Less

Lin is not alone. Many young people in China are choosing these long journeys to save money. Many of them are university graduates or young workers who don’t have a lot of money to spend. They are drawn to the low-cost option of travelling by bus or train instead of flying. As one traveller, 27-year-old Peng Fei, said, “Iron butt travel lets me visit more places for less money.”

The reason for this trend is partly economic. China’s economy is facing difficulties, including a housing crisis and high youth unemployment, making it harder for young people to afford expensive travel options. These travellers are also looking for adventures that don’t break the bank.

But the long journeys are not just about saving money. Lin and others enjoy the “down-to-earth” experience of travelling by bus or train. For them, it’s more than just the destination—it’s about meeting new people and learning about different cultures. Along the way, Lin met migrant workers and heard their stories, which made him reflect on his own life.

One of the highlights of Lin’s travels was a 53-hour train ride to Lhasa, in Tibet. During the trip, he saw breathtaking views of the Tibetan Plateau and the Gobi Desert. He said, “You get to see so much more on the road—stuff you just can’t see from a plane.”

"You get to see so much more on the road—stuff you just can’t see from a plane.".

Gobi Deser

Peng Fei, another iron butt traveler, spent 10,000 yuan ($1400) to travel through seven countries, from Kazakhstan to Turkey. She took mostly buses, only flying once from Uzbekistan to the UAE for just 300 yuan ($42). For Peng, this type of travel is a way to break away from her old routine and experience the world in a deeper way. She has met many young people like her on these journeys, people who are taking time to explore and see the world before settling into jobs or the pressures of society.

The “iron butt” trend shows how young people are finding creative and affordable ways to travel. Despite the discomfort and long hours, these travellers are enjoying the freedom and adventure that comes with seeing the world on their own terms.

Vocabulary List:

1. Iron butt (noun) –  A term used to describe travellers who spend long hours sitting on uncomfortable seats during long bus or train journeys.
   • Example: Is the "Iron-Butt" trend popular in your home country?
2. Backpacker (noun) –  A person who travels with a backpack, often on a low budget.
   • Example: They are adventurous backpackers travelling on a budget.
3. Down-to-earth (adjective) –   Simple and practical; not showy or fancy.
   • Example: She's a down-to-earth woman with no pretensions.
4. Routine (noun) –  A sequence of actions regularly followed.
   • Example: I settled down into a routine of work and sleep.
5. Discomfort (verb) –  Make (someone) feel uneasy, anxious, or embarrassed.
   • Example: He appeared to be discomforted by the questioning

Discussion Questions and Topics:

1. Why did Lin En choose to travel by bus instead of flying?
2. What is the main reason young Chinese travelers prefer long bus and train journeys?
3. What is the benefit of “iron butt” travel, according to Peng Fei?
4. If you could travel to any country on a budget, where would you go and how would you travel?
5. Would you be willing to take a long bus or train journey to save money on travel? Why or why not?
6. Do you think young people today are more likely to travel on a budget than in the past? Why?
7. What do you think are the best parts of traveling by train or bus, instead of flying?