Today no one knows the exact origins of the backpacker phenomenon in China, yet tens of thousands of people have joined in this new eco-centric activity. If you want to be a "friend of donkey", you are not necessarily young or affluent. Many are impoverished students budgeting their travels very carefully; some are middle-aged parents or senior citizens. They go hiking in remote places for months, tour suburban sights on weekends, and are always ready to discover new paths and surprises on their journeys.
