Hi, I’m Gao — a traveler from China.

In 2025, I left my job to begin a long-term journey around the world, driven by curiosity and a desire to understand life beyond my own borders.
My journey started in Xinjiang, in the west of China.

From there, I traveled overland across Asia and the Middle East, slowly moving through different cultures, languages, and landscapes. Recently, I completed two unforgettable months exploring Europe, walking the Camino for 115 km and meeting many amazing people on the way.
Now, I’m beginning my next chapter: discovering Africa.

Why I Travel

For me, travel isn’t just about places — it’s about people. I’m fascinated by how differently we live, think, cook, celebrate, and tell stories. Every city becomes more meaningful when I can experience it through the eyes of the people who actually live there.

I love sharing meals, exchanging ideas, learning small things about daily life, or simply sitting down for a genuine conversation. These moments connect us beyond borders, and they’re the reason I travel slowly and openly.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

People are the soul of every journey! I’ve met amazing friends during my travels, and Couchsurfing is a beautiful way to connect with locals, share cultures, and create real memories beyond sightseeing.

Interests

Hiking, ocean diving, surfing, yoga, tennis, golf, reading and traveling

• yoga
• reading
• traveling
• hiking
• surfing
• swimming
• diving

Music, Movies, and Books

Music: I really enjoy jazz for its freedom and rhythm, and rock because of its energy and passion.
Movies: I’m a big fan of Hayao Miyazaki’s animations—they always bring me a sense of wonder and peace.
Books: I love reading psychology and books about spiritual awakening. They inspire me to understand myself and the world better.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

Solo traveling through several countries in the Middle East — including Iran, the UAE, Lebanon, Syria, and Jordan.

Teach, Learn, Share

Teach: I can teach Chinese and show you how to cook some delicious Chinese dishes.
Learn: I’d love to learn new languages, local cultures, and traditional foods from different countries.
Share: I can share my stories from solo traveling across 30 countries, as well as good conversations and laughs along the way.

What I Can Share with Hosts

Fun Chinese words and phrases
Cook Chinese food

Travel stories (from exploring Middle East countries to sharing dinner with strangers in Southeast Asia)
Respectful company, laughter, and good vibes

Countries I’ve Visited

Armenia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Belgium, China, Colombia, Czech Republic, France, Georgia, Germany, Hong Kong, Hungary, Indonesia, Iran, Italy, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Laos, Lebanon, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Morocco, Nepal, Netherlands, Philippines, Portugal, Singapore, Slovakia, Spain, Syrian Arab Republic, Taiwan, Thailand, United Arab Emirates, Uzbekistan, Viet Nam, Western Sahara

Countries I’ve Lived In

China, Malaysia, Philippines