宋楙澄的「俠」特質使他在明代遊人之中顯得特立獨行,其好遊的天性與渴望建立功業的志向,使他漫遊於大江南北。北地之遊交雜在遊覽與行旅之間,在時空交疊的地誌書寫裡記錄了北地的時空變遷與人民的苦難,而北地的遊覽與關注往往與家國之事連結。南方之遊則隨著年齡而有不同的書寫側重,年輕時好遊的天性與豪俠探奇的性格在短程遊覽中形成兩股不同的力量,讓他選擇以遊來結交當世豪傑,但一連串的不遇與母親的過世,出與處的兩難他心中產生了拉扯。至萬曆四十年中舉後,他在四十九歲時展開為期五個月的楚地長遊,在「不忍復歸」的心情中暗示了更多的老年悲感,此刻的俠客心境已顯得淡薄而蒼涼。
Sung Mau Cheng(宋楙澄) is a special traveler in Ming dynasty. He has "xia"(俠) like chivalric characteristics. Because he likes tour and he hopes to establish his own career, so he has long-term roaming. His journey can be divided into north and south by Location. North travels concerned about national affairs, recorded times changes and people suffering. His south travels are divided in early stage and late stage. When he was not passed the imperial examinations, he cared about the problem of official career and seclusion. When he got the graduate, he had a different idea for travel.