From the Abyss to the Wild: 12 Healing Journeys with Friends That Saved My 2023

Meta Description: Discover how one traveler transformed heartbreak into healing through 12 friendship-fueled adventures in 2023. From frozen seas to Laos by train, these travel stories will inspire your next journey.

Introduction: When Life Gives You an Abyss, Travel with Friends

In 2017, I never imagined a late-night travelogue about Lijiang would change my life. By 2018, my Turkey travel notes earned me the title of "Bee Head" (top contributor on Mafengwo), and overnight, I became a recognized travel blogger. Life seemed perfect—traveling the world with my partner, framing love and landscapes through our lens.

But fate doesn't follow scripts.

The pandemic halted travel. Work hit a dead end. "We" became "me." By January 2022, I stood at the bottom of an abyss, feeling everything had collapsed.

Yet here's the miracle: Over the next 365 days, I slowly filled my black-and-white-gray world with color. In 2023, I roared back—that older girl with short orange hair, that happy little dog still obsessed with travel and photography, that outwardly hip-hop but inwardly serious 2.0 version of myself.

Looking back, I made over thirty trips, visited five countries, and filled several hard drives. But the most remarkable part? I rarely traveled truly solo. Friends initiated most journeys, accompanying me on the road, offering encouragement, and patiently joining my "passionate creative sessions."

This is my belated annual summary—a tribute to the friends who made 2023 a year bursting with friendship.

January: Frozen Sea Sunrise and the Snow Train – A New Year's Healing Journey

The First Light of the New Year: Aranya's Frozen Sea

"Can I invite you on a trip?"

Sumu was the first friend to extend a travel invitation after I became single. Having lived in a two-person world for so long, I'd forgotten the warmth of friendship. When I received that message, I panicked. But I knew I had to take this step.

So for the first trip of 2023, we went to Aranya to see the frozen sea.

As a northerner, I saw the ocean frozen solid for the first time. In sub-zero wind, I felt like a child. Despite hating early mornings, I braved the cold—tears and sniffles included—to wait for the first sunrise of the new year by the sea.

Turns out, many people had already gathered. The lonely church, surrounded by everyone, didn't feel so lonely anymore.

I couldn't remember the last time I watched a sunrise. The dawn colors were a faint pink. The shoreline had frozen, with traces of snow. Further out, the ocean flowed slowly, like pink silk. We stuck our Aranya water bottles into the remaining snow—ocean, snow, and sunrise together created a scene so romantic it felt unreal.

We found a guy playing guitar by the sea. A flock of seagulls, like a tourist group, came to cheer him on. As the sun rose, a massive egg yolk hung at the sea's edge, dyeing the sky and water orange. The ice reflected myriad colors. We ran toward the sunlight, waving wildly to welcome the new year.

That day, I took more sunrise photos than in the previous thirty years combined. The sea breeze cleared my thoughts, like opening meridians. The road ahead might be like this frozen sea—deep, full of unknowns, but definitely vast and wide.

SEO Tip: [Link: Best sunrise photography spots in China]

The Magical Snow Train Journey: Harbin to Mohe

I didn't expect a second New Year trip so quickly. My friend In Boss and I boarded the Hulunbuir Express—a train heading to the snowy kingdom, from Harbin to Mohe, the northernmost tip of China.

This train trip was "top-tier luxury." The double-occupancy cabin was compact but well-equipped, even with a private bathroom. Hearty Western and Chinese breakfasts, afternoon tea, and dinners—fresh ingredients with balanced nutrition. Along the way, we passed through Hailar, Hulunbuir, Genhe, and Mohe, taking in all the essence of winter in the north.

In the Arctic Village, we made sugar-coated hawthorns, painted ice lanterns, searched for deer in the forest, and rode camels. Every day felt like a fairy tale.

During the journey, I'd grab coffee, sit by the window, and go into digital nomad mode against the dreamy snowy backdrop. This snow train was our "moving castle." After days of hiking in -30°C weather, it was the warmest harbor.

Collecting the "Northernmost" Elements: Mohe Travel Guide

After a long journey through the snow kingdom, we finally arrived at Mohe.

The viral hit "Mohe Dance Hall" had filled me with longing for this small town. Together, we collected everything "northernmost"—like a treasure hunt in the snow: the northernmost station, post office, supply cooperative. Sending handwritten postcards from the northernmost point of our country felt truly meaningful.

We caught a heavy snowfall and bounced around in the white expanse, giving off serious Japanese drama vibes.

We even found a northernmost tree, standing out starkly in the white world. Crossing the bridge next to it led to Russia—we had unknowingly reached the northern edge again.

We said hi to the northernmost Santa Claus in the northernmost Christmas cabin and lit the first firework of the new year. This was the real Santa—licensed and certified.

Around that time, the show "Happy Reunion" was popular. We were super lucky to ride the same horse-drawn sleigh as the cast. In Boss and I wrapped ourselves in big floral northeastern quilts, lying flat on the sleigh, letting the horses take us through a fairy-tale forest. The snow left beautiful arcs, and a dog kept running alongside us.

Although we didn't make it to the real Mohe Dance Hall, we visited a low-budget version built from snow. The rural disco lights flickered to melancholic tunes, and we couldn't resist having a heartfelt dance inside.

"If you have time, will you come see me? See how the heavy snow ages, how my eyes melt..."

I might never come to Mohe again in this life, but Mohe is worth visiting while you're young.

SEO Tip: [Link: Winter travel guide to Mohe, China's Arctic Village]

February: Taking the High-Speed Train to Laos – A Cross-Border Adventure

Snowflake and I are old friends; our relationship gradually warmed from boss-subordinate to sisters who share everything. After I became single, she was among the first to invite me on a trip.

We took the newly opened China-Laos Railway from Kunming to Vientiane—a high-speed train that crosses borders. This journey was about more than just travel; it was about reclaiming my sense of adventure.

The train glided through mountains and tunnels, crossing the Mekong River. In Laos, we explored Luang Prabang's temples, watched monks receive alms at dawn, and kayaked on the Nam Khan River. The slow pace of life there was healing in itself.

SEO Tip: [Link: China-Laos Railway travel guide: Kunming to Vientiane]

March: Cherry Blossoms and Hot Springs in Japan

March brought an invitation from my friend Xiao Yu. We flew to Japan for cherry blossom season, visiting Tokyo, Kyoto, and Hakone.

In Kyoto, we walked the Philosopher's Path under a canopy of pink petals. In Hakone, we soaked in an open-air onsen while snow fell gently around us. The contrast of hot water and cold air, the sight of Mount Fuji in the distance—it was pure therapy.

We also visited a cat cafe in Tokyo, where I spent an hour playing with kittens. Simple joys, but they filled my heart.

SEO Tip: [Link: Japan cherry blossom travel itinerary 2024]

April: Hiking the Tiger Leaping Gorge

April's trip was with my hiking buddy, Da Wei. We tackled the Tiger Leaping Gorge in Yunnan—one of the deepest gorges in the world.

The hike was challenging: steep paths, narrow ledges, roaring water below. But every step brought a sense of accomplishment. Da Wei kept me going when my legs gave out, sharing snacks and stories.

At the halfway guesthouse, we sat on the terrace, watching the sun set over the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain. No words were needed. The mountains spoke for themselves.

SEO Tip: [Link: Tiger Leaping Gorge hiking guide: what to know before you go]

May: Cycling Around Erhai Lake

May's adventure was with my college roommate, Meng Meng. We rented e-bikes and cycled around Erhai Lake in Dali.

The 120-kilometer route took us through rice paddies, ancient villages, and flower fields. We stopped for photos every few minutes—the scenery was too beautiful to rush. At night, we stayed in a guesthouse by the lake, listening to the water lap against the shore.

Meng Meng told me about her own struggles—her divorce, her career change. We realized we'd both been through hell and come out stronger.

SEO Tip: [Link: Erhai Lake cycling route: a complete guide]

June: Desert Camping in Dunhuang

June's trip was with my photographer friend, Li Wei. We headed to Dunhuang in Gansu Province for desert camping.

We rode camels across the Mingsha Sand Dunes, visited the Mogao Caves, and watched the sunset from the top of a sand dune. At night, we camped under the stars, cooking noodles over a campfire.

Li Wei taught me how to photograph the Milky Way. I learned that sometimes, the best way to heal is to look up.

SEO Tip: [Link: Dunhuang travel guide: desert camping and Mogao Caves]

July: Island Hopping in Thailand

July's trip was with my sister, who flew in from Shanghai. We went island hopping in Thailand—Phuket, Phi Phi, and Koh Lanta.

We snorkeled with colorful fish, ate pad thai on the beach, and watched fire shows at night. My sister, always the practical one, surprised me by booking us a cooking class. We learned to make green curry and mango sticky rice.

Laughing over burnt curry, I realized how much I'd missed these simple, silly moments with family.

SEO Tip: [Link: Thailand island hopping itinerary: Phuket to Koh Lanta]

August: Exploring the Grasslands of Inner Mongolia

August's trip was with my childhood friend, Xiao Ming. We drove through the Hulunbuir Grasslands in Inner Mongolia.

We stayed in a Mongolian yurt, ate roasted lamb, and rode horses across the endless green. At night, the sky was so clear we could see the Milky Way. Xiao Ming, who works in finance, confessed he'd been feeling burnt out. We talked about our dreams, our fears, and the pressure to have it all figured out.

The grasslands reminded us that life is vast. There's room to wander, to get lost, to find your way again.

SEO Tip: [Link: Inner Mongolia grasslands travel guide: Hulunbuir]

September: Autumn Leaves in Jiuzhaigou

September's trip was with my former boss, Mr. Wang. We visited Jiuzhaigou in Sichuan, famous for its turquoise lakes and autumn foliage.

The park was crowded, but we found quiet corners. We walked along boardwalks, past waterfalls and colorful pools. Mr. Wang, a seasoned traveler, shared stories of his own journeys. He told me that every ending is a new beginning.

That evening, we ate hotpot in a small restaurant. The spicy broth warmed us from the inside out.

SEO Tip: [Link: Jiuzhaigou travel guide: best time to visit and tips]

October: Tea Plantations in Fujian

October's trip was with my yoga teacher, Lin. We went to Wuyi Mountain in Fujian Province, famous for its tea plantations.

We hiked through terraced tea fields, visited ancient temples, and learned about the process of making oolong tea. Lin led me through a meditation session by a stream. The sound of water, the scent of tea leaves, the cool mountain air—it was deeply calming.

I realized that healing isn't a destination. It's a practice, like yoga or tea-making. You show up, you breathe, you let go.

SEO Tip: [Link: Wuyi Mountain travel guide: tea culture and hiking]

November: Ancient Towns in Jiangnan

November's trip was with my book club friend, Fang. We explored the ancient water towns of Jiangnan—Zhouzhuang, Wuzhen, and Xitang.

We took boat rides through narrow canals, crossed stone bridges, and ate xiaolongbao (soup dumplings) in tiny restaurants. Fang, a writer, told me she was working on a novel about friendship. She said our trips together would make a great chapter.

We bought matching silk scarves and promised to wear them on our next adventure.

SEO Tip: [Link: Jiangnan water town travel guide: Zhouzhuang, Wuzhen, Xitang]

December: Hot Springs in Yunnan

December's trip was with my travel blogger friend, Chen. We went to Tengchong in Yunnan, famous for its volcanic hot springs.

We soaked in pools of different temperatures, each with different minerals. The steam rose around us, and the cool mountain air kept us refreshed. Chen and I talked about the future—our goals, our fears, our hopes.

As the year ended, I felt grateful. Grateful for the friends who showed up, for the journeys that healed me, for the strength I didn't know I had.

SEO Tip: [Link: Tengchong hot springs guide: best resorts and tips]

FAQ: Healing Travel with Friends

Q1: How do I find travel buddies for healing trips?

Start with existing friends or join travel communities on platforms like Mafengwo, Meetup, or Facebook groups. Be open about your intentions—many people are looking for meaningful travel connections.

Q2: What are the best destinations for healing travel?

Destinations with natural beauty and slow pace work best: Aranya's frozen sea, Mohe's snow kingdom, Yunnan's hot springs, or Thailand's islands. Choose places that allow for reflection and connection.

Q3: How can I afford multiple trips in a year?

Prioritize budget-friendly options: off-season travel, local destinations, and sharing costs with friends. Use travel rewards points and book in advance for discounts.

Q4: What if I'm anxious about traveling after a breakup?

Start with short, nearby trips with trusted friends. Gradually build confidence. The first step is always the hardest, but it gets easier.

Q5: How do I document my healing travel journey?

Use a journal, blog, or social media. Focus on feelings, not just photos. Share your story—it might inspire others who are struggling.

Conclusion: Your Healing Journey Starts Now

2023 taught me that the best way out of an abyss is through friendship and travel. Each journey—from the frozen sea to the snowy train, from Laos to Japan, from deserts to grasslands—was a step toward healing.

If you're reading this and feeling stuck, know this: You don't have to travel alone. Reach out to a friend. Plan a trip. Start small. The road ahead might be deep and unknown, but it's also vast and wide.

Your turn: Which destination from this list speaks to you most? Share in the comments below, or tag a friend you'd love to travel with in 2024. Let's make this year one of healing, adventure, and friendship.

[Link: 10 tips for planning a healing trip with friends] [Link: Best travel insurance for adventurous travelers]

Ready to start your own healing journey? Download our free "Travel with Friends" planning checklist [here].