舍近求远 abandon the near, seek the far
Explanation
舍弃近处的，追求远处的。形容做事走弯路，也指为了追求更好更远的目标而放弃眼前容易实现的。
Giving up what is close and pursuing what is far. It describes taking a detour to achieve something, and it also refers to giving up easily achievable goals in front of one’s eyes in order to pursue better and farther goals.
Origin Story
从前，有个年轻人名叫阿牛，他家境贫寒，一心想成为一名有名的画家。他听说远在千里之外的江南，有一位著名的老画家，便毅然背起画具，踏上了漫漫的求学之路。一路上，他风餐露宿，历尽艰辛。然而，他家乡附近也有一位画技高超的老师傅，却被阿牛忽略了。几年后，阿牛终于到达了江南，却发现这位老画家已经仙逝，而他所学的技法也早已过时。这时，阿牛才后悔莫及，他本可以就近学习，却舍近求远，白白浪费了宝贵的时光和精力。
Once upon a time, there was a young man named An Niu who came from a poor family and aspired to become a famous painter. He heard that there was a famous old painter thousands of miles away in southern China, and he resolutely carried his painting tools and embarked on a long journey to study. Along the way, he experienced hardships. However, there was also a highly skilled craftsman near his hometown who was ignored by An Niu. After several years, An Niu finally reached the south, only to find that the old painter had already passed away, and the painting techniques he had learned were already outdated. At this time, An Niu deeply regretted his decision. He could have studied locally, but he chose to travel far and wide, wasting precious time and energy.
Usage
常用来形容做事方法迂回曲折，不够直接，也用来比喻做事不务实，追求虚无缥缈的目标。
Often used to describe a roundabout and indirect way of doing things, it is also used to describe unrealistic pursuit of goals.
Examples
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他为了追求国外名牌大学，舍近求远，放弃了国内重点大学的保送机会。
tā wèile zhuīqiú guówài míngpái dàxué, shě jìn qiú yuǎn, fàngqìle guónèi zhòngdiǎn dàxué de bǎosòng jīhuì.
He gave up the opportunity to be admitted to a key domestic university and sought a foreign prestigious university, which is a detour.
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与其舍近求远，不如踏踏实实做好眼前的事情。
yúqí shě jìn qiú yuǎn, bùrú tàtāshíshí zuò hǎo yǎnqián de shìqíng
Instead of taking a roundabout way, it's better to do the things in front of you steadily.