do I have to die to get exp?

[RobbyStark]

is there any other way to collect my tasty experience than to suicide my character?

[Maximum124]

Or just to play the game until you die permanently, the more days you survive the more exp you get. But if you have a touchstone or any other way to revive the death doesn't make any exp, and you'll just be able to keep playing until you die permanently in that save.

[Scrimbles]

If you use the teleportato to change worlds, and it will count up all of your xp.

 

And then you can pick any character you have unlocked before transferring to your new world, while keeping your previous inventory and learned crafting recipes.

[the truthseeker]

Yes, EITHER dying or escaping will grant you the XP. Until the Things are found, make life-restoring items to survive.  

[hotmatrixx]

It sounds like the Teleportato is your answer.

 

I iz learned somethingz!

 

But I think I unlocked everything by about day 150 or something.