How Hao Yun Xiang Stays Centered

Whether he’s herding sheep in rural Australia, flying a plane off the coast of New Zealand, or hiking across glaciers in Iceland, top Chinese model Hao Yun Xiang is always ready for adventure—especially when it comes to work. The Beijing-native was a professional athlete before taking on modeling and rising up its ranks.

“To me, travel before the pandemic was an excellent chance to meet new friends and experience new things,” he said. “From immersing myself in a foreign culture to opening my mind to ideas I never thought before, I always have something to gain from exposing myself to different people and places.”

He’s spent a year managing his wellness from home, reminiscing about his latest discoveries, where he’s headed next (ASAP!), and why we should never stop exploring.

“To me, loyalty is everything. It’s what keeps me focused. It reminds me to never forget where I’m from, to appreciate what I have and to look forward and be open to the future. There’s always something to learn,” he said. “I’m lucky that my work has allowed me to travel and try new things all the time… I can’t wait to hit the road again.”

He loves to sail, which has been a perfect socially distancing activity this last year. “To me, sailing is another way to explore the world. Since I started at the age of 17, I have been very fond of the experience of crossing and exploring the ocean. It is full of challenges, but I feel like only when I sail can I break free from the pressure of daily life and completely be myself.”

“Arriving somewhere new always gives you the feeling of excitement that an adventure is about to begin while departing gives you the satisfaction of having collected new things and experiences. Either way, you never go home the same,” he said.

His packing style is very simple: his backpack holds everything he needs and allows him to navigate with ease. Time is very important when you’re on the go, so he always has his watch. Music and a good book help him to relax on the plane, but “headphones make a great accessories along with a ring and some cool sunglasses.”

Hao's self-care routine must be working. He recently completed Abercrombie & Fitch's 2020 and Boss' 2021 campaigns.