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 by He Maofeng / for China Daily]

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.

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.

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

On Foot | Wang Gangwei

Editor's note: 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.

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

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

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.

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.

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.

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

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

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.

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

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

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.

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

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

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

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.

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

Wang Gangwei spoke to China Daily reporter Luo Wangshu.