A view of the Eastern Zhejiang Canal Museum in Shaoxing, east China's Zhejiang Province.

Throughout history, canals have embodied the noble aspirations of human interconnection and shared development. Statistics show that there are over 1,000 canals worldwide, encompassing approximately 3,000 canal cities. These canal cities, gleaming like pearls, are emerging as significant contributors to the promotion of sustainable human development with their unique natural and cultural landscapes.

In December 2024, the China Public Relations Association unveiled its outstanding public relations cases and demonstration projects for 2024. Among them, "Canal Walk Initiative: Using Canals as a Medium to Deepen Friendly Relations Between Canal Nations" successfully made the list, a case promoted by the Grand Tour Education Technology (Beijing) Co., Ltd. Cheng Hao, the initiator of the Canal Walk Initiative, stated that canals and public relations serve a comparable function — facilitating interaction and connectivity, bridging the world, and benefiting society. Leveraging canals as a cultural corridor, Cheng aspires to establish exchange platforms through cultural activities, fostering youth exchanges between China and other countries. Recently, China News Release interviewed Cheng, inviting him to share his journey from a teenage cycling enthusiast to a cultural ambassador.

Three 'heroic journeys'

Cheng's aspiration to dedicate himself to youth study tours sprouted from his three "heroic journeys."

"The so-called 'heroic journey' represents a journey with grand ambitions. After an individual engages with the nature, a vast inner world naturally emerges, resulting in a state of mind that remains unimpeded by the trivialities of daily life." Cheng recalled that his first "heroic journey" began in the first year of high school. That year, he cycled over 200 kilometers alone from the county town to the seaside, seeing trains, airplanes, and the ocean for the first time. "When the train roared into the platform, I realized the present could connect to distant places; when the waves rose and fell continuously on the sea surface, I felt all my chaotic thoughts dissolve into the waves." Confronted with the grandeur of nature, Cheng initially cultivated the belief of "venturing into the expansive world." "The scope of one's vision can extend infinitely; the crucial factor lies in whether one has the courage to embark on the journey," he said.

The second "heroic journey" took place in his freshman year at college. Cheng decided to travel from Yangzhou, east China's Jiangsu Province, to Xi'an, northwest China's Shaanxi Province, by bicycle without any money. He said, "Having not a cent on me was not only to cultivate survival skills but also to gain a clearer understanding of myself." During the journey of over 1,000 kilometers, Cheng interacted with people from different regional cultures, exploring the world while gradually discovering and challenging himself.

In 2003, as Cheng approached his university graduation, he embarked on his third "heroic journey." He devised an "1130 Plan" for himself — consulting 10 million words of data, spending 100 days visiting 30 renowned figures in the economic field. "This was a completely unfamiliar visit, with no phone numbers or home addresses of the people to be visited; everything had to be uncovered through patient waiting for the right opportunities."

Through those unfamiliar visits, Cheng gradually realized that dialogues with outstanding individuals can help people find their life's directions.

The three "heroic journeys" solidified Cheng's determination to engage in the study tour industry: Youth should grow through practice and challenges in the real world, rather than being confined to the classroom.