Cao Shengkang with Maasai friends in Kenya

Cao Shengkang lost his eyesight in a car accident aged eight. Dropping out of school, like many blind people in China, Cao learned the art of massage at 18, as a way to earn a living. At 37 he hit the road, a blind backpacker taking on the world solo. Now the 41-year-old, always seen with his dark glasses and a walking stick, has traveled to 30 countries on six continents. With the desire to challenge himself Cao has opened his heart to the world.

Being useful

Born in east China’s Anhui Province, Cao should have had a happy childhood like all other children his age, but the car accident brought a new reality. Constant bullying by his schoolmates saw him run away from home several times, forcing his parents to pull the tormented boy out of school. After failing to find a job, he even attempted suicide.

"I had an indomitable spirit, even though I had experienced many tribulations, and I made a promise to be a person who is useful to my family and society," Cao told ChinAfrica.

Like many blind people in China, Cao learned massage as a means to survive. He still remembers the joy at receiving his first salary. However, despite his new-found success, Cao was still searching for something more. At the time, he listened to the radio, and heard about the disabled athletes who competed at the Paralympic Games. The thought excited him and he set about making positive changes to his life.

In 2001, Cao arrived in Beijing and spent three years taking short-distance running training at the Beijing Sport University. During this period he set up a small massage business to earn a modest living and spent the rest of his time training to be an athlete. Despite the inevitable injuries that come with sports, it was the happiest time of his life, Cao said. His determination led to participation in the Fifth Guangdong Provincial Games for Disabled Persons in 2006, winning a bronze medal in the 200 meters sprint.

Windsurfing was his next challenge. Traveling to Sanya, south China’s Hainan Province, in 2011, Cao trained with Zhai Mo, a well-known windsurfer. He lost count of the number of times he was injured in training. At the national wnidsurfing event held in Sanya in 2012, Cao was the only disabled athlete who took part.

Journey of a lifetime

The desire to become a globetrotter was born after losing his savings on the stock market. He went to Qinghai, Xinjiang and Tibet to try and escape the pain. He remembers hearing sounds of yaks and chants of monks on the road and found the trip released his anxiety and stress, lighting the spark for what was to become an epic set of journeys.

He set off for the first leg of his 24-day world tour after the windsurfing experience, on April 18, 2012. The journey began in Laos and included Thailand, Cambodia and Viet Nam. Cao came across many difficulties, mainly the language barrier and insufficient funds. He had only about 4,000 yuan ($635) for this first trip; yet despite the setbacks the experience was enjoyable.

"A man can live only once. I have a lot of places to visit and a lot of things to experience. That’s the reason why I go travel and challenge myself nonstop," Cao said. He got help from countless warm hearted strangers and was happy with fellow travelers’ descriptions of the scenery he passed through.

After much hardship, joy and life lessons in trips to Asia, North America, South America, Oceania and Europe, he finally set foot in Africa.

African journey

On December 30, 2015, Cao left for Africa from New York, with the first stop being Nairobi, the capital of Kenya. The experience in Nairobi totally changed his previous imaginings of Africa. "African people were very kind to me," he said.

During the New Year holiday, Cao and two other Chinese outdoor enthusiasts went to the Maasai Mara National Reserve in Kenya. He was told that lions and cheetahs were less than 10 meters from him but felt no fear. This was the first time he had been near zebras, wildebeests, bisons, rhinos, hippos and crocodiles.

"I heard the roar of wild animals and smelt the aroma of grasslands, which recalled my memory of watching Animal World, a documentary by China Central Televsion when I was young. Finally I had realized my dream to travel in Africa," Cao said.

Villagers in Maasai Mara were astonished when they heard Cao was blind. In the following days the locals looked after for him and ensured his safety.

In April 2016, Cao traveled to Zanzibar Island in Tanzania, which is particularly memorable to him. During the two-hour boat trip, a local youth took care of him, unloading his bags when they arrived.

His helper refused a tip, leaving Cao very impressed.

"The young man told me he did what he should do. He hoped I would help someone else who needed help in the future," Cao said.

In the Stone Town of Zanzibar Island, Cao touched turtles and ran after dolphins. Leaving Tanzania, he went to Uganda, Ethiopia, Malawi and Zambia, where he experienced the majesty of Victoria Falls.

"That was my first experience of a waterfall. Though I got thoroughly wet I can’t forgot the happiness it brought me. Instead of saying I saw the falls, I should say the falls saw me," Cao said.

On arriving in Ethiopia’s capital Addis Ababa, Cao gave a talk at a local international high-school. He shared his experiences and challenges with the students, telling them that life was like a blank canvas and each person was the creator of his own journey.

"For me, it is not as easy as you are because I am blind. But I painted with my heart. Now I have realized my dream and I believe everyone of you can also realize your own dream," Cao said to great applause.

When asked his impression of African people, he replied without hesitation: enthusiastic, friendly and kind.

"I will go back to Africa in July, to climb Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania and visit Cape Town in South Africa. If possible, I also want to return to Mozambique to again experience its people’s enthusiasm," Cao said.

While reflecting on his travels, Cao recalled how he once attended a Muslim funeral in Tanzania. There was no crying at the funeral. It made him rethink life and death.

"Life is short and we need to challenge ourselves. Traveling around the world is my dream and I hope my experience can influence more people to chase their dreams. Though I can’t see the scenery on my journey, I am able to visualize it based on the descriptions of others around me. Although I can’t see the world, I want the world to see me clearly."