BEIJING: A family embarked on a remarkable 3,500km journey from eastern China to the northwestern region of the country to help their son commence his university life, garnering significant attention online and receiving a wealth of good wishes.
The boy graduated from high school in Zaozhuang, Shandong province, this summer before being accepted at Xinjiang Second Medical College in Karamay, a prominent city in Xinjiang.
His father, surnamed Geng, opted to drive his family in their seven-seater MPV to take the boy to medical school, which is situated 3,500km from their hometown of Zaozhuang.
According to a report from the news portal The Cover, the trip involved six family members. In addition to the boy and his parents, his older sister, her husband, and the boy’s grandfather, who is in his 80s, were also aboard.
They set off on Aug 20 and reached the university four days later.
To make their journey memorable, the father spray-painted the vehicle’s back window, displaying Chinese characters that read, “Sending son to university; Zaozhuang of Shandong to Karamay of Xinjiang.”
This eye-catching message drew public attention along the route, and other drivers often expressed camaraderie, empathising with such devoted parents, Geng noted.
Geng, his wife, their daughter, and her husband took turns driving. They made regular stops for safety and occasionally visited tourist spots along the way, as shared on Geng’s social media.
Before arriving in Karamay, they first travelled to Urumqi, the capital city of Xinjiang, as the grandfather wished to see his younger brother after decades apart, hindered by travel difficulties between Shandong and Xinjiang.
Geng estimated the total cost of the trip at 12,000–15,000 yuan (US$1,800–US$2,200), which included 6,000 yuan for petrol, 3,000 yuan for road tolls, and several thousand yuan for meals and hotel stays.
This approach was more economical than flying, which would have cost about 18,000 yuan for six passengers, yet pricier than the train trip, which totalled around 10,800 yuan.
“But driving offers convenience. We can bring a lot of luggage and stop whenever we like. More importantly, this journey creates lasting memories,” Geng remarked.
He mentioned having to suspend his machine rental business for two weeks to make the trip possible.
“Sending my child to register at university is far more important than making money. Beginning his university life is a significant milestone,” he explained, adding that he regretted not having taken his son on trips in the past decade due to his demanding work schedule.
In 2017, Geng and his wife also drove to accompany their daughter to study at a university in Qingdao, located about 400km from their home.
Geng’s son chose to study clinical medicine in high school. With a mid-level score on the national university entrance exam, he was only able to enrol in a medical school in a remote region like Xinjiang.
“I am profoundly moved by my family’s decision to drive such a long distance to support my university journey. Their deep love for me is unmistakable,” said the boy, who celebrated his 18th birthday a few months ago.
The story has resonated widely, earning a flurry of praise on mainland social media.
“What a happy family! I admire the strong bond they share,” remarked one online observer.
Another added: “Kudos to this family! I believe the boy will cherish this trip for a lifetime.” - South China Morning Post
