特种兵式旅游

What does 特种兵式旅游 mean?

特种兵式旅游 describes trips run with military intensity: seeing as many attractions as possible in very little time and on a tight budget, often with overnight trains, barely any sleep and a minute-by-minute schedule. It is said with a mix of pride and self-mockery, as in “I did three cities in 48 hours”. The prefix 特种兵式 (“special-forces-style”) is now attached to other activities too, like 特种兵式开会 (special-forces-style meetings). The opposite mood is lazy, do-nothing rest, as in 躺平.

Where does 特种兵式旅游 come from?

The phrase appeared in 2023, when travel restarted after the pandemic and many university students posted weekend trips covering several cities in about 48 hours. 《咬文嚼字》 (Yaowen Jiaozi) listed it among its 2023 top ten buzzwords.

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.