Yang Piyuan(Malaysia): Admiral inspires us to hike in Yunnan

Yang Piyuan(L) and his wife Wu Ailing(R) taste Guoqiao rice noodles. (Photos provided by Wu Ailing)

“When I was young, I read much about Zheng He and went to the places in Malaysia where he had landed. When I had the chance many years later to visit his place of origin, I considered myself very fortunate,” said Yang Piyuan.

Yang Piyuan and Wu Ailing are Malaysian teachers who are of southeast China’s Fujian ancestry.

Not too long ago, they embarked on a trip to Yunnan. Their passion, driven by what they'd fondly refer to as "a call by their ancestors", lies in exploring different regions in China, with a special affinity for the province that is "south of the clouds".

Whenever or wherever they could, they would savor the opportunity to hike or walk in Yunnan. he “hiking adventure” started from central Yunnan’s capital city Kunming, where hey first paid homage to Zheng He.

Zheng He (1371-1433), born in Kunming’s Jinning district, was a navigator and diplomat during the Ming Dynasty. In 1405, a large fleet commanded by Zheng He set sail from Taicang, in east China's Jiangsu province, marking the start of the Ming Treasure Voyages. This happened 87 years before Christopher Columbus sailed West in 1492 and 92 years earlier than Vasco da Gama’s journey around the Cape of Good Hope. He visited more than 30 countries and regions in Asia and Africa, sowing the seeds of friendship between China and the south-southeast Asian countries.

“The Seven Voyages of the Admiral and his fleets have always served as a great source of inspiration for those with exploration, adventure, and wonder in their hearts. May the spirit of the Admiral be the beacon of our Adventures in Life!” said Yang.

The second trip was more challenging. Heading to northwest Yunnan, they first visited Lijiang. From there, they ventured further north to trek in one of the world's most renowned destinations for hiking, the Tiger Leaping Gorge. The night before the hike, they spent time immersing themselves in the Naxi culture and architecture that pervaded the charming Old Town of Lijiang. Lijiang has been a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1997.

Wu Ailing (Photos provided by Wu Ailing)

When the two arrived at Tiger Leaping Gorge in Shangri-La, they reveled in the environmental beauty that Nature has bestowed upon Yunnan. Their three-day walk challenged them with some degree of danger and presented them with even more wonder.

The motivation derived from the historical feat of Zheng He's remarkable ability to overcome numerous hazards during the Treasure Voyages propelled the two walkers along the challenging mountain ridges.

Traveling the northwest route of Yunnan rewarded Ailing and Yang with the beauty of nature. However, the southwest route of Yunnan allowed them to take “A Deep Dive into the World of Yunnan Pu'er Tea Drinking”.

Wu Ailing at the gate of the ancient tea forest of Mt. Jingmai (Photos provided by Wu Ailing)

This happened on their trip to the spectacular Jingmai mountain in Langcang Lahu autonomous county, southwest Yunnan's Pu’er. Jingmai - home to sprawling tea gardens and charming villages of ethnic groups - was added to the prestigious UNESCO World Heritage list in September 2023.

Ailing was an occasional tea-drinker and certainly did not consider herself as an enthusiast. She was introduced by a friend named Joy to meet local Pu’er tea experts Yu Bai and her French husband William. The wealth of knowledge possessed by Yu Bai and William encouraged her to learn more about the world famous Pu’er tea. The charismatic couple of tea experts not only awakened the sense of taste of their visitors but they also warmed hearts with kindness and filled minds with tea knowledge.

During the stay in Jingmai, Ailing was introduced to a variety of Pu’er tea. The wondrous thing was that time just rapidly sped by as she “immersed” herself into the teas of the mountains.

Such is Yunnan, the Province South of the Clouds, a place known to foster "A Many-splendored Life". Its beauty, culture, hospitality, food and drink are once again demonstrated in the Malaysian visitors’ many heartwarming encounters.

Reporting by Yang Piyuan; Editing by Mo Yingyi