The characters literally combine to mean “self-help-travel.” This paints a vivid picture: you are “helping yourself” to travel, relying on your own planning and resources rather than the “help” of a travel agency.
For decades, the dominant mode of domestic tourism in China was the organized tour group (跟团游 - gēn tuán yóu). This was efficient, safe, and required minimal planning from the individual. It fit well with a collectivist mindset where the group's schedule and goals were paramount. The rise of 自助游 represents a significant cultural shift. As the Chinese middle class has grown, so has its access to information (via the internet), disposable income, and a desire for more individualistic and authentic experiences. 自助游 is the embodiment of this new travel philosophy. Compared to the Western concept of “backpacking,” 自助游 is very similar but can have a slightly different emphasis. While Western backpacking often romanticizes spontaneity and shoestring budgets, Chinese 自助游 is often meticulously planned. Travelers, known as “donkey friends” (驴友 - lǘyǒu), will spend weeks creating detailed itineraries (攻略 - gōnglüè), booking all train tickets and hotels far in advance, and researching the best photo spots. It's less about “winging it” and more about “perfecting your own plan.” It's the freedom to control your own schedule, not necessarily the freedom from having one.
自助游 is an extremely common term in everyday conversation, especially among people under 40.