Hiker retraces route of Marco Polo as she continues her mission of inspiration and benefits from kindness of strangers, Yang Feiyue reports.

On the surface, Vienna Cammarota is a simple grandmother in her Italian hometown. But initial impressions can be misleading. The mother of three in her 70s is a well-known hiker, who intrepidly explores what the world has to offer.

Beginning in Venice on April 26,2022, Cammarota arrived in China last month, the last stop of her journey to the East, trekking more than 20,000 kilometers.

The moment she set foot in China on Aug 29, she was warmly greeted by people who presented her with a wreath, symbolizing friendship and blessings, and put on traditional dance and singing performances for her arrival via Irkeshtam, the country's farthest-west land port in the Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region.

Inspired by Marco Polo, who traveled to China along the ancient Silk Road in 1275, Cammarota set off from the legendary explorer's hometown of Venice to retrace the route on foot.

Marco Polo lived in China for 17 years and in his travelogue provided detailed descriptions of the country, which allowed Westerners to learn about the allure of this Eastern nation for the first time, Cammarota says.

She adds that she hopes to see more of modern China by following in Marco Polo's footsteps.

"I want to compare the China described by Marco Polo over 700 years ago with the China of today through my journey. I also hope to share my experiences and observations in China with my fellow Italians," she says.

She first spent a few days making inroads into the ancient city of Kashgar in the autonomous region, experiencing the local folk customs and history, ranging from a century-old teahouse where she engaged with residents to learn about tea culture to a naan bread shop where she tried her hand at making the traditional staple food.

During her stay, she documented the history and modernity of the ancient city through the lens of a camera, which she will share with the world, she says.

With a simple backpack and two trekking poles, Cammarota has covered more than 20,000 kilometers from Italy across Slovenia, Croatia, Serbia, Bulgaria, Turkiye, Georgia, Iran, Turkmenistan, Azerbaijan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, and Kazakhstan to Kyrgyzstan.

"I have only my backpack of about 20 kilos and a lot of desire to make it," Cammarota writes on her website.

The backpack carries her summer and winter clothing and kits, including a portable compass, a small knife and a bottle of pepper spray for protection against animal attacks.

"If I need anything else, I buy it as I go," she notes.

She prefers to wander, stopping when something catches her eye and embracing the unexpected sights along the way, Cammarota says.

"Why am I doing it? Hiking has always been my passion but this journey is meant to be a message of courage and strength for everyone," she adds.

She has long been an adventurous and culturally driven traveler. Three decades ago, she started to hike to Nepal, Southwest China's Xizang autonomous region, and Israel.

"Each new journey brings me fresh experiences and memories," Cammarota says.

To date, she has visited many countries and regions in Asia, Europe, South America and Africa.

"I don't have a particularly favorite destination because every country or city has offered me something valuable," she says.

Cammarota admits she sometimes found herself mired in moments when she wanted to give up everything and go home.

"There have been times when I couldn't find anyone to give me advice, provide information about places to visit, guide me through border crossings, or even help with lodging. In those moments, I felt frustrated and discouraged. Fortunately, those feelings never last long and I always find a way to work through them," she says.

In her time of need, she has often received kindness and hospitality from strangers.

Her concerns about language barriers were addressed through body language, which she says is quite effective.

"There have been many kindhearted friends who have helped me, making my journey more enjoyable and fulfilling," she says. "In unfamiliar countries, I not only learned the basics of the local language but also gained a deep understanding of cultural diversity."

She adds that going through those moments solidifies her determination to see her trip through.

Starting from Kashgar, Cammarota will embark on a 15-month cultural journey across China and explore over 30 cities in 17 provinces and autonomous regions, including Gansu, Shaanxi, Fujian and Guangdong provinces, and Beijing. Her journey will culminate in Beijing to mark the 750th anniversary of Marco Polo's arrival in China.

She began studying The Travels of Marco Polo in 2000 and planned to retrace Marco Polo's route along the Silk Road. Her goal is to experience the profound cultural heritage of Chinese civilization, witness the development and achievements of modern China, and call for global harmony and inclusiveness by bringing into modern view the Silk Road history and spirit to boost dialogue and understanding between the East and the West.

It's the satisfied look on the faces of people she's met that impressed her most, as she has witnessed people from European and Central Asian countries benefiting from the Belt and Road Initiative, she says.

As a hiker, Cammarota has paid special attention to road and bridge constructions, among which she was impressed by the Peljesac Bridge in Croatia, a project built by a consortium led by the China Road and Bridge Corporation.

Cammarota says the 2.4-km bridge not only connects the country's southern and northern regions but also shortens the distance between the island of Korcula, where Polo once lived, and the land.

It is just one of the bridges, highways and railways built under the BRI she has witnessed.

"When I see these marvels, I feel my heart swell with emotion. It's only by witnessing them firsthand that you can truly grasp their incredible nature," she says.

Authorities from the Chinese destinations on her travel route will offer assistance and guidance.

The welcoming ceremony and interactive experiences in Xinjiang were among the efforts for Cammarota by multiple parties, including the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries, the China Arts and Entertainment Group and the Xinjiang culture and tourism department. They aim to showcase the timeless charm of the Silk Road and highlight the new achievements of the BRI, thereby promoting cooperation and exchanges between China and the countries along the Silk Road, according to the organizers.

Yan Dong, vice-president of the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries, says that civilization becomes more colorful through exchange and richer through mutual construction.

Cammarota's journey retracing Marco Polo's footsteps along the Silk Road, spreading the seeds of civilization along the way, demonstrates its historical charm and conveys a beautiful vision of strengthened cooperation and shared development among countries involved in the BRI, Yan says.

These two travelers have bridged ancient and modern times along the Silk Road, building a bridge of East-West communications, which has great significance in continuing the traditional friendship between China, Italy and Europe and enhancing their bond and affection, he adds.

Li Jinsheng, chairman of China Arts and Entertainment Group, expressed his gratitude to Cammarota for her admiration and goodwill toward Marco Polo, the Silk Road and China, as well as her strength to overcome numerous challenges to retrace the Silk Road.

Li hopes that through her experiences, the historical charm of the Silk Road and the openness and inclusiveness of China can be displayed, showcasing the beautiful vision of common development among Belt and Road countries.

Li says he believes Cammarota will surely showcase China's true image, rich culture and ethnic harmony to the world through her experiences. And it will not only attract more international tourists to China, but also promote cultural dissemination and economic development in cities involved in the BRI, he adds.