This combo photo shows 4-year-old girl Wenwen (L) and her father on the journey. (Photo/West China Metropolis Daily)
(ECNS) -- China's well-known "tiger parents" have stood out to defend the decision to bring their 4-year-old daughter on a backpacking journey along the dangerous Sichuan-Tibet road as a necessary step for the girl to become "tough and independent."
Pan Tufeng and Yuan Duan, from Shangrao City of Jiangxu Province, have a long history of hiking with their daughter, whose nickname is Wenwen. The little girl's tough journey began when she was just 15 months old.
Both backpacking parents graduated from high school, worked as small business owners and now enjoy more free time by running a business on the social networking app WeChat.
The 2,000km road connecting Chengdu City in Sichuan Province to Lhasa, Tibet winds through potentially dangerous environments including snow-capped mountains, primeval forests, grassland glaciers and turbulent rivers.
One and a half months ago, the family ended a 20-day journey to several cities in East China's Shandong Province by walking or hitching rides. The family's next goal is to finish the Sichuan-Tibet journey in two months, leaving many to worry about the child's safety as well as the parents' teaching methods.
But Pan said difficulties on the road will be nothing compared to the possible challenges his daughter may face in the future.
He also said life of children living in cities today are too cozy and they should endure hardships to learn to be independent, West China Metropolis Daily reported.
The mother said she is not sure whether their way is right or not, but she wants the girl to learn and play hard at this age.
At a hostel in Chengdu, the girl was watching cartoon programs alone. Her tanned face, short hair and simple shorts and sneakers all made her look like a boy. On her knees are scars, the marks of previous hikes.
"There are things that teachers or textbooks can't provide," her mother said.
The little girl has never spent one day in kindergarten, and for six to seven months a year she follows her parent's journeys, including walking 10 kilometers a day at times. The father insisted that his daughter, now known as China's youngest backpacker, has so far adapted well to life on the road.
Hou Lerong, a professor of sports medicine from Chengdu Sport University, said a child of 4 years old is not physically ready to take intensive exercise such as a 10km hike. He is concerned that too much outdoor life may affect Wenwen's nutrient intake.
Bai Ling, a psychologist in Chengdu, also said absence from kindergarten can affect the development of interpersonal skills. But educational expert Liu Xia said the important thing is to let the child enjoy the trip herself rather than bow to her parent's wishes.
