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Fran Lu

A Chinese man has recently achieved his ambitious goal of travelling to 233 countries and regions around the world, sharing the life wisdom that “time waits for no man.”
Chen Jinwei, 53, returned to his hometown in Zhuji, in eastern China’s Zhejiang province, after a remarkable 33-year global tour that ended when he returned from Peru after visiting various corners of the world.
Reports indicate that only about 70 individuals in China have previously travelled to 233 countries, territories, and regions.
As the owner of a machinery company, Chen invested a total of 10 million yuan (US$1.5 million) into his journeys.
His international adventures began in 1993 with a trip to Singapore, Malaysia, and Thailand.
At that time, the internet was still not widespread, and Chen felt a strong desire to learn “what the other side of the world looks like” – not through books or hearsay, but through his own firsthand experiences.

Chen integrated his world tour with his responsibilities of managing his business and family, often alternating between spending one month at home and one month on the road.
He strategically chose to start with challenging destinations, including the polar regions.
His quest to reach Antarctica required two separate journeys. In November 2015, he made his first attempt aboard the French expedition cruise ship Le Boréal, but he had to abandon the trip when the vessel lost power, emitting black smoke on the third day.
In January 2016, he set out again for the South Pole, successfully reaching his destination.
Chen identified Tokelau, a small island territory of New Zealand, as his greatest challenge.
In 2019, despite meticulous preparations and navigating complex procedures, he arrived in New Zealand only to be forced to cancel his Tokelau trip due to a public health emergency.

This year, he attempted the journey again and finally set foot on the atolls of Tokelau, expressing that he was “incredibly excited.”
Throughout his travels, Chen encountered many unconventional and challenging experiences, including contracting malaria in Africa and enduring an earthquake in Greece.
He said these challenges empowered him to become more adaptable: “When faced with a problem, first stay calm, then think about solutions.”
He emphasised that his journeys were about more than simply “checking off tourist attractions.” At each stop, he aimed to stay as long as possible and immerse himself in the local culture.
He collected currencies from 198 countries and donated them to the Xu Xiake Memorial Hall.
Xu Xiake (1587–1641), a renowned geographer and explorer from the Ming dynasty (1368–1644), can essentially be regarded as China’s earliest travel blogger.

Chen remarked that travelling and running a business share fundamental similarities.
“Regardless of the ups and downs, joys and sorrows, just persevere in whatever you do.”
For those eager to explore the world but often lamenting their lack of time or money, he offered straightforward advice: “Don’t wait. Time waits for no man.”
Now, Chen aims to spend more quality time with his children and parents. He also plans to interview 100 leading figures in the outdoor and tourism industry, documenting their life stories.
An online observer commented: “To achieve such a goal as Chen’s requires both time and money, which are luxuries for most ordinary people.”


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‘Time waits for no man’: Chinese man’s 33-year, US$1.5 million world trip inspires many

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Chen draws a parallel between running a business and exploring the world – both require perseverance through challenges


Chen draws a parallel between running a business and exploring the world – both require perseverance through challenges.


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‘Time waits for no man’: Chinese man’s 33-year, US$1.5 million world trip inspires many

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}Chen draws a parallel between running a business and exploring the world – both require perseverance through challenges

Chen draws a parallel between running a business and exploring the world – both require perseverance through challenges