The world is vast, so I want to start by going to see it.
I want to see the pines of Huangshan. I want to stand beside West Lake, the place Su Shi wrote about when he said it could be compared to Xizi, beautiful either in light makeup or heavy makeup.
I want to see the aurora, scattered across the sky like a field of stars. I want to walk through a wisteria tunnel that feels like something from a fairy tale. I want to see Santorini, romantic and quiet, floating over the Aegean Sea.
I want to go to Guilin, long praised for having the finest landscapes under heaven. And I want to take a trip with no destination in mind, ending up somewhere with flowers and sunlight, breathing in the scent of blossoms and doing absolutely nothing while the sun warms my skin.
Travel can be this simple: no fixed direction, no fixed place. Stop wherever you like, take photos of the scenery, photograph strangers passing by, rest for a while, then keep going. When you reach a place, ask the locals what to eat and what is worth seeing. Leave a memory there, then set out to find the next stop.
I also want to wander into an old town, one without the sharp smell of fresh paint. The roads would be paved with blue stone slabs, darkened by puddles that make the stone look even deeper in color. There would be a small pavilion by the lake, a place to wait until the sun goes down and the edges of the golden disk still linger in the sky. That would be the perfect time to take pictures.
This is what people mean when they talk about the old-town feeling that lives in the heart: flowing water in Jiangnan, mist over the houses, and life moving slowly through the rain and smoke.
Sometimes travel is not only about seeing beautiful places or tasting good food. It is also a chance to step outside and breathe. We pause for unusual scenes on the street; we stop for the beauty of mountains and rivers; we are caught by a fleeting glance; and in spring, when flowers bloom everywhere, we are stunned by the sheer abundance of color.
So maybe you can try packing a bag and setting off alone, crossing one unfamiliar city after another, looking for a little peace for yourself. There is a kind of freedom in traveling without asking others, and in letting your own steps decide the road.
The world is so big. I want to go see it.