Regarding historic stories on humanity’s attempt to fly up to the sky, how many do you know? You may know Chang’e, but have you heard of Wan Hu?

At the second session of the 8th Jinhua Municipal Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), Shao Faming, a teacher at Jiufeng Vocational School of Wucheng District and also a member of the CPPCC, proposed to spread the story of Wan Hu and build a memorial plaza for him.

Shao briefed the panel on his study of Wan Hu. According to various resources, Wan Hu, originally named Tao Guangyi, was born at the end of the Yuan Dynasty (1368) and passed away in 1390. He was later given the name Chengdao by Zhu Yuanzhang, the first emperor of the Ming Dynasty. When Tao became the dean of the Tao Academy in Wucheng, Zhejiang (now part of Jinhua), he devoted himself to studying alchemy. However, an alchemic accident turned his interests toward making gunpowder. Around 1358, Zhu conquered Wuzhou (now Jinhua). Tao took his students to offer a display of their gunpowder skills. In reward for his repeated achievements in various battles, Zhu endowed him with a large tract of land that tens of thousands of households rely on (“wan hu” in Chinese). Thus he was then also known as “wan hu.” At the beginning of the Ming Dynasty, Tao was the first person who thought of and attempted flying using firework rockets. As a result, he was also reputed as the world’s first “astronaut.”

“In the book of Cangxi Tao Family Origins, there is a biography of Tao. As recorded, Tao was from Macili Village, Jinhua (the exact place is hard to trace in modern times). He was also the nephew of the wife of Xu Qian, a famous scholar in Jinhua. Compared with many other ancient figures of Jinhua, Wan Hu has more international recognition. In the 1970s, the International Astronomical Union even named a lunar crater “Wan Hoo,” in memory of the first person attempting to fly using rockets.

Amongst the names of lunar craters, there are also Chinese ancients like Tsu Chung-Chi (Zu Chongzhi), Guo Shoujing, Zhang Heng, etc. Wan Hu has also appeared in many teaching materials of elementary and junior high education, as well as in the history of astronomy. Though his stories are well known, not many people are aware of the fact that he is from Jinhua.

“In this year’s government work report, a focus was laid on science and education. In addition to the practical work on science and technology innovation and talent cultivation, science education is also important.” Shao believes that the promotion of Wan Hu not only increases children’s pride in their hometown, but also is a tribute to the spirit of scientific exploration.

He suggested building “Wan Hu Memorial Plaza” at the foot of Jianfeng Mountain. “Wan Hu gave his life for science while he was conducting his flying experiments on top of a mountain. To establish his memorial site also alludes to his deeds. At the same time, this place is not far from the ancient road of Xiake, which is associated with the famous ancient geographer Xu Xiake. Together, they can provide a kind of reflection on ancient science and culture,” said Shao. The mountain is very popular, and near the mountain gate there is a ready-made but yet-unnamed small square. It could be named “Wan Hu Square.” (By Chen Yuedan, translated by Lin Yuqin, edited by Kendra Fiddler)