Yusuf Ma Decheng

Chinese Muslim explorer who redefined Sino-Arab cultural connections through desert expeditions

Born in 1964 to Hui Muslim parents in Ningxia, Yusuf Ma Decheng completed the first bicycle crossing of the Taklamakan Desert in 2003, covering 1,600km in 27 days. His subsequent 10-year New Silk Road Project retraced ancient trade routes from Xi'an to Istanbul, documenting disappearing oasis cultures.

Key milestones:

• 2010: Walked 7,000km from Turkey to China using only medieval navigation
• 2015: Established digital archive of 30+ endangered Central Asian dialects
• 2021: Led camel caravan diplomacy between China and UAE

Yusuf's work bridges modern technology with traditional knowledge:

• Using satellite imagery to locate lost caravanserais
• Partnering with MIT on desertification AI models
• Creating VR experiences of Silk Road markets