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A Chinese traveler who set out from his country on foot to raise environmental awareness said he was deeply impressed by Türkiye’s natural scenery and the warmth he received from local people during his journey across the country.
Xiong Xianjun, 39, has been on the road for more than 400 days, traveling with a small handcart carrying his personal belongings and a tent. After crossing several countries and covering about 7,100 kilometers (4,412 miles), he arrived in Türkiye, where he has spent around a month visiting different cities.
Xiong began his world tour after leaving his job at a software company in China, saying he wanted to draw attention to environmental issues while discovering natural beauty along the way.
Speaking in Duzce, a province in northwestern Türkiye, Xiong said he had so far visited eight countries and planned to continue his journey across all continents.
"I have been on the road for more than 400 days. I have covered 7,100 kilometers and visited eight countries. I plan to visit 100 countries across all continents. This is my dream for the next 10 years," he said.
Xiong said Türkiye stood out for both its landscapes and its people, adding that he had not expected the country to affect him so strongly before arriving.
"Thank you very much to everyone. I really loved Türkiye. Türkiye is a beautiful country with friendly people. Before coming, I never imagined Türkiye would be this beautiful. When I arrived, I saw that Türkiye’s landscapes were incredibly beautiful and its history was rich. Most importantly, I made very kind friends in Türkiye, and local people helped and supported me a lot," he said.
During his route through Türkiye, Xiong said he was welcomed by residents who invited him into their homes, while local shopkeepers also offered him food and support. He said these encounters had become some of the memories he would carry with him from the country.
Xiong is currently continuing his journey through Duzce toward Ankara, the capital of Türkiye. He said he plans to move on through an Armenia-Azerbaijan-Kazakhstan route as part of his wider world tour.
Although his journey is expected to last years, Xiong said his time in Türkiye had already become an important part of the experience, especially because of the country’s natural beauty, historical depth and the hospitality he found along the way.
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