As a couple, our travels have always been private affairs, with experiences shared just between the two of us. We’ve never been ones to mingle with fellow travelers, staying in hotels and exploring independently. We’ve rarely had the chance to learn what drives others to travel, or even thought much about it—until we found ourselves in a hostel in Xian, China, due to a reservation mistake. This trip gave us a glimpse into a different type of traveler and, unexpectedly, made me question not just why others travel, but why I do.
It all started after a rather dull visit to the Terracotta Warriors. We had never really been on a guided tour before, and the experience felt more like a school field trip, except we were adults. Afterward, we needed a change of pace. We left our hostel to explore Xian’s vibrant street life, hoping to refresh our senses. The streets were alive with energy as we wandered, sampling local street food and soaking in the sights and sounds. Xian at night is a sight to behold, and we were excited to make the most of our time there.
However, on our way back to the hostel, we had an encounter that stuck with me. In the newsagents across from the hostel, we ran into a guy from the tour group we had seen earlier. He was joking around, making strange noises with a poorly mimicked accent, while the sales clerk looked confused. He thought his antics were hilarious, likely waiting for a high-five, before heading back to the hostel. When we reached the hostel bar, we found the same group still sitting there, chatting endlessly about sports. They had been parked at that bar for hours, talking about boxing. I couldn’t help but wonder: why come all the way to Xian, China, only to focus on something as mundane as sports? Adding to the absurdity, the guy from the shop was wearing sunglasses indoors—at night, in winter, in a city permanently shrouded in smog. It all seemed a bit off, and my impulse was to ask, “What’s going on with you all?” but I bit my tongue. After all, everyone travels for their own reasons, no matter how bizarre those reasons might seem.
This moment made me reflect on my own reasons for traveling. While some people may travel simply for the sake of travel, I realized that for me, it’s all about the food. Tourist attractions no longer excite me as they once did. The Great Wall of China? I wanted to leave as soon as I got there—mostly because it was freezing cold. I began to question whether I was visiting these places just to tick them off a list, like a modern-day stamp collector. Travel, for me, started to feel absurd and meaningless unless I could connect with the culture and experience something deeper.
That’s when food came into focus. For me, it’s not the sightseeing that motivates me to travel, it’s the food. Without food, I likely would have already given up on traveling. Travel isn’t always as glamorous as people make it out to be—long flights, uncomfortable stays, and overwhelming crowds can often leave you exhausted. But food, with its unique flavors and ability to connect you with a place, keeps me going. It’s the cravings and the anticipation of new tastes that push me to book that next flight and seek out new experiences.
Food isn’t just about eating; it’s about immersion. You don’t need to be a food critic to appreciate a great meal. For me, food tourism is all about the experience: navigating street food stalls, wandering through night markets, and interacting with local vendors. Eating with locals, enjoying a cold beer or a shot of rice whiskey, and just taking in the environment is one of the best ways to truly immerse yourself in a place. While others may be herded through attractions or bogged down by the usual tourist activities, I’m happy to be off the beaten path, indulging in local delicacies and savoring the moments that make travel so special.
While I still visit the top attractions, my heart always longs for the food scene in the city streets. There’s something uniquely satisfying about diving into the local food culture, and that’s what keeps me coming back for more.
