銆€銆€As the countdown to Spring Festival begins, a sea of people travel home using the quickest, or cheapest, way possible — usually planes, trains and automobiles.

銆€銆€Travelers check their luggage on an expressway in Hunan province on Saturday. They all work in Guangzhou, Guangdong province, and shared a car to return to their homes in Huaihua, Hunan province, for Spring Festival. Many people are considering alternatives to travel home during the annual rush. [Photo/China Daily]

銆€銆€For some travelers during this annual mass migration, however, the journey is more important than the destination. Instead, they choose slower modes of transportation, such as bicycles or even walking.

銆€銆€Three people who opted for an unconventional adventure tell their stories.

銆€銆€On Foot | Wang Gangwei

銆€銆€Wang Gangwei, 27, attempted to walk 1,300 km from Jiangsu province to his home in Shaanxi province. The journey takes roughly 24 hours by train.

銆€銆€Wang Gangwei poses on Jan 12 as he leaves Wuxi in Jiangsu province to walk to his hometown in Shaanxi province. [Photo/China Daily]

銆€銆€I chose to walk home to Liquan county because I wanted one last adventure before my baby is born. And I got it.

銆€銆€I packed a raincoat, flashlight, blanket, battery charger, 10 pairs of socks, a photo of my wife, food and water and some clothes.

銆€銆€At 8 am on Jan 12, I left Shuofang town in Wuxi, where I had worked at an electronics factory and lived for almost two years.

銆€銆€The first day was the hardest, but I managed to cover 65 km, and I spent my first night on the road in Changzhou. There, I got rid of some clothes and two pairs of shoes, which made my backpack much lighter.

銆€銆€Initially I'd planned to walk 100 km a day. At that rate, I figured I'd be home before Spring Festival. I quickly realized it was impossible, though, and aimed for 60 km instead.

銆€銆€The longest I walked in a day was about 17 hours. I finally stopped at 3 am and slept on the roadside.

銆€銆€One night, I slept in a graveyard. It was creepy, and I only got about three or four hours' rest.

銆€銆€The GPS app on my smartphone was my guide, but it wasn't that accurate. I got lost a few times. Once, near Yangzhou, I walked around for almost four hours trying to find my way. It was cold, dark and lonely.

銆€銆€As I went further northwest the weather got colder. When I passed Yangzhou, the temperature fell to –4 C.

銆€銆€But I like fresh air. It's better than sitting on a factory production line making cellphones.

銆€銆€I lost my ID card some time ago in Shuofang, which caused some problems. First, it meant I couldn't buy a train ticket, and when I was on the road it meant motels weren't legally allowed to let me stay. Many refused me.

銆€銆€Otherwise, the journey was going fine — until the sixth day.

銆€銆€I was walking near Hongze Lake, about 400 km into the trip, when I twisted my ankle. I knew then I couldn't continue.

銆€銆€It was a pity, but I had to take a bus the rest of the way. I arrived home on Jan 22.

銆€銆€Apart from the challenge, by taking the journey on foot I also wanted to raise public awareness about my search for my missing sister. She left home several years ago and has not contacted any family member since then. I thought someone might hear about me and may know my sister.

銆€銆€I'm home now, safe and sound. I wish my sister was too.

銆€銆€