A replica of a treasure ship that Admiral Zheng He (1371-1433) sailed in. The ship was on display in Nanjing, Jiangsu province, on Thursday and is to make its maiden voyage in 2014. (Photo: China Daily)
If you'd like to explore the oceans on a wooden ship as people did in times long past, you may have such a chance in the near future.
In 2014, 36 volunteers will get to travel on a 71.1-meter-long wooden replica of the treasure ship on which Admiral Zheng He (1371-1433) undertook seven voyages in the 1400s. The ship is being built in Nanjing, East China's Jiangsu province.
"It'll be really great to be one of the volunteers," said Wang Yuanyuan, a 19-year-old student from the Nanjing University of Information Science and Technology.
But with her excitement came a note of caution. Wang said she worries about how safe she will be on the trip and will buy life insurance before embarking.
"To adapt to the modern requirements of navigation and ensure the crew's safety, the ship will be equipped with advanced technologies, including some that can be used for communications, life saving and fire control," said Zhao Zhigang, general manager of Jiangsu Longjiang Shipbuilding.
The replica will undertake its first of eight expeditions after going on a trial journey in August 2014, according to the Nanjing maritime safety administration.
