If you use Chinese social media platforms like 小红书 [xiǎohóngshū] or 微博 [wēibó], you’ll surely have come across an expression or two that you wouldn’t find in a textbook. Internet slang in China, known as 网络流行语 [wǎngluò liúxíngyǔ] in Chinese, are words or phrases invented by young people on social media that spread like wildfire. Every month new terms pop up that later settle into the language, breaking through the screen into everyday life. This is the case with 特种兵式旅游 [tèzhóngbīngshìlǚyóu] and 网红打卡地 [wǎnghóngdǎkǎdì], both related to travel. 

What does 特种兵式旅游 mean? 

特种兵 [tèzhóngbīng] means military commands or special forces, while 旅游 [lǚyóu] means to travel or go sightseeing. So, the literal translation of 特种兵式旅游 would be "special forces tourism." What this expression is actually describing is a trip covering multiple destinations in record time. The analogy with special military forces is down to the hyper-efficient strategy involved: catching the sleeper train, running between attractions, and maximizing every single minute. The term became popular in 2023, with the post-Covid revival of tourism in China.

Do 旅行 [lǚxíng] and 旅游 [lǚyóu] mean the same thing?

You were probably taught another way of saying "travel" in Chinese (旅行 [lǚxíng]) and you might be wondering how this differs from 旅游. To put it simply, 旅行 refers to traveling in a more general sense, not necessarily implying tourism. It’s associated with a looser, more relaxed trip. When we use 旅游, on the other hand, we’re often referring to an organized trip or tour, which is generally shorter and more heavily planned, usually around tourist attractions. This explains why, in the expression 特种兵式旅游, we use 旅游.

网红打卡地: "Instagrammable places" 

Last but not least we have 网红打卡地. This refers to a place that has gone viral on account of the sheer volume of photos taken there and posted online. 网红 [wǎnghóng] means "viral," 打卡 [dǎkǎ] is the term used for "clocking in" at work; and 地 [dì] is place. Ever since the term gained momentum, some cities and towns have started sprouting fake 网红打卡地 (such as colorful stairs) just to attract tourists. Sadly, these spots lack cultural authenticity and are pure Instagram fodder.

Are you more 旅行 or 旅游? Ever tried 特种兵式旅游? What do you think of the 网红打卡地?