A growing number of young people are no longer travelling alone. They’re now hitting the road with beautifully dressed plush toys. Some of the travellers put them in backpacks with transparent windows, while others simply carry them in their arms.

Many are taking to social media to share their travel adventures with their ‘plushies’, most of who are fans of popular cartoon characters.

One traveller always takes ‘Chiikawa’ (also known as Nanka Chiisakute Kawaii Yatsu), a shy and tearful white mouse-like creature on his travels around Asia. He takes his cute plushie to restaurants, styles it in cute little outfits and arranges it in different sleeping positions on hotel beds.

Another plushie fan posted photos of his Japanese amberjack plush toy on a bullet train. “My little fish loves watching the scenery roll by. It was so happy it flipped onto its belly.”

Wang Liufeng, who is a psychology consultant with the Chinese Association for Mental Health, said stuffed toys offer comfort and companionship. “They do not talk, they do not judge, but they are always by your side. It is a form of unconditional emotional support.”