Monk Xuanzang of the Tang Dynasty (618-907) journeyed west, to
India, to obtain the Buddhist scriptures in AD 627. Eighteen years
later he returned to Chang'an (present-day Xi'an, capital of Shaanxi
Province), then the Tang Dynasty capital.
Based on the story of Xuanzang's pilgrimage, Ming Dynasty (1368
- 1644) writer Wu Cheng'en penned the famous novel, Journey to
the West, one of the four great classics of Chinese
literature.
Next week, more than 70 journalists from various evening
newspapers will follow in Xuanzang's footsteps. But unlike the Tang
monk, their purpose is to publicize China's western development
program.
Xie Peng, deputy director of the China Evening News Workers
Association and organizer of the journey, said China's western
region boasts rich natural and cultural resources, many of which
remain unfamiliar to Chinese as well as to foreigners.
The pilgrimage is designed to give more people a better
understanding of the western region through their reports on
economic, social and cultural progress and change.
The journey also commemorates the spirit of Monk Xuanzang in
overcoming challenges to achieve his objectives, Xie said.
The journalists will begin their journey in Xi'an on May 20.
They expect to arrive in Urumqi, capital of northwest China's Xinjiang
Uygur Autonomous Region, on June 5.
On the way they will travel through major cities and historical
sites in Gansu
Province such as Tianshui, Lanzhou, Wuwei, Zhangye, the Great
Wall's Jiayu Pass and Dunhuang. They will visit places like Turpan
and Gaochang in Xinjiang, finishing the journey by car.
The group is now planning the second phase of its journey for
next year. They expect to leave for India from Urumqi on May 5 and
return to China 20 days later.
(China Daily May 14, 2004)