Ms Qi "inspiring young Chinese"

An elderly woman who has chosen a life of backpacking in her retirement has won millions of fans on Chinese social media.

The 73-year-old retired teacher, identified by Pear Video as Ms Qi, says she opted for travelling over providing live-in care to her descendants.

The short online video has ignited online debate about the traditional idea that China's elderly should move in with their children and spend the rest of their lives taking care of grandchildren.

"Why do elderly Chinese people have to do housework, and look after their children and grandchildren?" she tells Pear Video.

"We should have our own lives."

'A diary of memories'
Ms Qi says in the video that she has been travelling all her life, visiting countries in Europe, North America and Asia.

Pear Video followed her as she embarked on her latest trip to Quanzhou in China's southwest Fujian Province. She stays in a dormitory in the video, and says she saves money by travelling with students and sharing journey costs.

She says that meeting young people is one of the most important things about her travels. "I talk with them and they have lots of fresh things to say," she says.

Her mother is still alive, and Ms Qi says she video-calls the 92-year-old daily to let her know how she is, and frequently posts pictures on social media for her children and grandchildren.

"I have a public account," she says, "And I've had it for about five months. I write everything: my memories, my inspirations - a diary of memories for my children and grandchildren."
It has received tens of thousands of comments on Chinese social media, including on the Sina Weibo microblog, with many users speaking with admiration for her as a free-spirited woman.

"An independent, enchanting woman," one says, "Her age is not an issue."

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'I hope I can be like her'
Ms Qi's video has also got social media users thinking critically about what the role of elderly people should be in family life.

"Filial piety", the Confucian value of showing respect towards parents, elders and ancestors, is an important value in Chinese society and culture, and it is culturally acceptable for the elderly to live with their children in their old age.