‘Dream big’: fearless China teen spends US$1,600 on solo global tour, faces online bullying, sex-for-sale taunts
- Adventurous teen travels alone, uses pocket money and part-time job cash
- Shares travel experiences online, defends herself against cyber-bullies
A teenager who travelled solo to several countries on a budget of just 11,500 yuan (US$1,600) has been besieged by sex-for-sale rumours spread by people who refused to accept her success.
The youngster has bravely faced down her critics and won plaudits for her independent and adventurous spirit.
For 35 days, starting last November, Li Yike travelled to Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, the United Arab Emirates, Turkey, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Egypt and Nepal, on a remarkably small budget.
To save money, Li mostly travelled overland or flew with budget airlines, spending just 4,680 yuan (US$650) on transport.
Her accommodation included youth hostels and airport lounges. She ate cheap bread instead of proper meals.
Li decided she wanted to see the world “she had only seen in books” during a gap year between dropping out of an international secondary school in eastern China’s Zhejiang province and starting a new school in September.
