Veteran Journalist’s 25-Year Quest to Save the Yellow River

For over two decades, Huang Chengde, a veteran journalist, has trekked along China’s iconic Yellow River—a journey he calls a 'pilgrimage' to protect the nation’s 'Mother River.' Starting in 1997, Huang has traversed nearly every stretch of the river, from its glacial headwaters in the Tibetan Plateau to its vast estuary where it meets the sea.

A Lifelong Mission

Huang’s annual expeditions aren’t just about exploration. Armed with notebooks and cameras, he documents ecological changes and spotlights grassroots efforts to combat pollution. His work has rallied farmers, students, and policymakers alike to join his cause. 'Protecting the Yellow River is about protecting our future,' he says.

From Awareness to Action

Beyond reporting, Huang has organized volunteer clean-up campaigns and educational workshops. His 'collective action' approach has inspired a wave of youth-led environmental movements across the river basin. While his podcast The Yellow River Mosaic shares his adventures, many young followers call him the 'Eco Guardian' of Chinese culture.

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Pilgrimage of a veteran journalist

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