特种兵式旅游

What does 特种兵式旅游 mean?

Out on a Friday night train, back on Sunday, three cities ticked off in 48 hours: that is 特种兵式旅游 in practice. The phrase describes trips run with military intensity, cramming as many sights as possible into very little time on a tight budget, usually with overnight trains, barely any sleep and a minute-by-minute schedule. People report these runs with pride and self-mockery in equal measure. The prefix 特种兵式 now attaches itself to other activities too, 特种兵式开会 among them, and the opposite mood is the do-nothing rest of 躺平.

Where does 特种兵式旅游 come from?

University students were the ones who put it in circulation, posting weekend trips that covered several cities in about 48 hours. The phrase appeared in 2023, once travel restarted after the pandemic, and the format was easy for anyone on a student budget to copy.

How to use 特种兵式旅游

• 两天打卡三个城市，这就是特种兵式旅游。
  Liǎng tiān dǎkǎ sān gè chéngshì, zhè jiù shì tè zhǒng bīng shì lǚ yóu.
  Three cities in two days: that's special-forces-style travel for you.
• 这次假期我不想特种兵式旅游了，只想躺着。
  Zhè cì jiàqī wǒ bù xiǎng tè zhǒng bīng shì lǚ yóu le, zhǐ xiǎng tǎng zhe.
  No boot-camp sightseeing this holiday; I just want to lie around.