Reviving the ancient Maritime Silk Road

Zhai Mo. [Photo provided to China Daily]

It takes four to five days to get from one port to the next, so they will need to prepare enough food and water to last a week. Zhai says it's impossible to cook at sea when the wind is strong, so they will eat dry food and Shandong pancakes made by his mother.

The yacht has an electric generator, but Zhai is reluctant to add a fridge. "If passengers want to experience the real lives of sailors, their voyages shouldn't be as comfortable as ordinary tours," he says.

Zhai's interest in sailing dates back to 2000, when he bought an 8-meter-long sailboat and spent half a year touring the country.

"I like the feeling that I can go wherever I want with my sailboat. At that time, it wasn't not easy to get visas to such places as Pacific islands," he says.

Zhai spent two years and eight months on his voyage around the earth, becoming the first Chinese to make the journey alone in an unpowered sailboat. He did it despite opposition from family and friends.

In recognition of the achievement, Zhai won the Touching China award for 2009, an honor presented by China Central Television that is given to inspiring role models.

"Sailing has broadened my horizon and knowledge greatly. To survive, I have to understand astronomy, geography, carpentry and even benchwork."