Truly there is no age too old or too young to pursue your dreams and one person in China has served as a proof that age is just a number.
A 73-year old retired teacher, who goes by the name of Qi, has been living the backpacking life for quite a while now.
The elderly woman, who has chosen a life of backpacking in her retirement, has won millions of fans on Chinese social media since her story was shared online.
According to Qi, she opted for travelling over providing live-in care to her descendants.
The short online video depicting Qi's story has kindled online debate about the traditional belief that China's elderly should move in with their children and spend the rest of their lives taking care of grandchildren.
"Why do elderly Chinese people have to do housework, and look after their children and grandchildren?" she tells Pear Video.
"We should have our own lives." She added.
Qi also said in the video that she has been travelling all her life, visiting countries in Europe, North America and Asia.
Pear Video followed her as she embarked on her latest trip to Quanzhou in China's southwest Fujian Province. She stays in a dormitory in the video, and says she saves money by travelling with students and sharing journey costs.
"Meeting young people is of the most important things in my travels"
Aside from having fun in meeting different individuals, Qi also says that meeting young people is refreshing. "I talk with them and they have lots of fresh things to say."
Her family is supportive when it comes to her travels. Qi's mother is still alive, and she says she video-calls the 92-year-old daily to let her know how she is, and frequently posts pictures on social media for her children and grandchildren.
"I have a public account," she says, "And I've had it for about five months. I write everything: my memories, my inspirations - a diary of memories for my children and grandchildren."
The three-minute video featuring Qi has been viewed more than 11 million times on video website Miaopai.
It has received tens of thousands of comments on Chinese social media, including on the Sina Weibo microblog, with many users speaking with admiration for her as a free-spirited woman.
"An independent, enchanting woman," one says, "Her age is not an issue."
Empowering person
Many users says that watching Qi enjoying her freedom has empowered them to speak about their own independence and decisions like whether to marry or have children in the future.
