徐霞客出生时的明朝处于万历中期，社会相对稳定，尤其是靠近长江入海口的江阴因其便利的交通条 件，商品经济较为发达，百姓思想都相对开放一些。以王阳明为代表的知识分子提倡"知行合一"想必对 后来的徐霞客也产生了一定影响，与徐霞客同时代的董其昌更是直接提出了"读万卷书，行万里路"的思 想主张。受上述因素影响，徐霞客在少年时便立下了"丈夫当朝碧海而暮苍梧"的志向。 十五岁时，徐霞客参加了童子试，但没有考中，之后便再没参加过科举。在徐霞客十九岁的时候，父亲 徐有勉"遇盗扼而死，其（徐霞客）遇此大故，哀毁骨立……如白衣苍狗，愈复厌弃尘俗。欲问奇于名 山大川"。父亲的突然离去，让年少的徐霞客感叹世事无常，也更加坚定了他将有限的生命投入对自然 的探索中。 二十一岁时，刚过弱冠之年的徐霞客遵从内心志向，走上了"问奇于名山大川"的道路。只是因牵挂母 亲，"父母在，不远游，游必有方"，他多选择周边游览，"定方而往，如期而还"，短则数天，长则几个 月便返回家中。母亲王氏对儿子的出行非常支持，特意给他制作了一顶远游冠，以"壮其行色"。 （来源：天津日报） 转自：天津日报 徐霞客出生于南直隶常州府江阴县（现江阴市）。徐氏祖上曾为北宋开封府 ...

Core Viewpoint - The article highlights the life of Xu Xiake, emphasizing how he achieved greatness despite the challenging socio-political environment of the late Ming Dynasty, showcasing individual potential in times of adversity [2][21]. Background and Early Life - Xu Xiake was born in 1587 during a relatively peaceful year, but his life was marked by political corruption and social upheaval [3][2]. - He faced difficulties in the imperial examination system, which was highly competitive, with 600,000 candidates and limited opportunities for success [5]. - Xu's family background played a significant role in shaping his values; they were wealthy and had a history of rejecting the civil service path, which influenced his pursuit of exploration over traditional success [4][7]. Exploration and Contributions - Xu Xiake developed a passion for exploration, encouraged by his parents, particularly his mother, who supported his travels and the documentation of his findings [4][16]. - He began his explorations at a young age, visiting significant geographical sites and making notable observations, such as the geological features of Mount Tai and the discrepancies in geographical records [9][10]. - His meticulous documentation and exploration led to significant contributions to geography, including the first cave system map in China and corrections to historical geographical errors [14][15]. Legacy and Impact - Xu Xiake's explorations covered 21 provinces, and his findings were later validated by modern scientific methods, demonstrating the accuracy of his observations [18][21]. - His works, particularly "Xu Xiake's Travel Notes," have been recognized as foundational in the field of geography, with scholars noting his contributions to empirical science in China [21][20]. - Despite the destruction of much of his work and family during the turmoil following his death, his legacy endures through the surviving texts and the recognition of his pioneering spirit in exploration [19][20].

Core Insights - The article explores the travel experiences of historical figures in ancient China, emphasizing their unique perspectives on famous landmarks and lesser-known places [1][2][3] Group 1: Travel Philosophy - The travel philosophy of historical figures like Shen Fu highlights the importance of personal experience over popular opinion, suggesting that true beauty often lies in less-visited locations [2][3] - Shen Fu's reflections on famous sites reveal a critical view, as he finds many renowned attractions to be overrated and prefers hidden gems [2][3] Group 2: Historical Context - The article provides a historical context of travel during the Qing Dynasty, illustrating how travel was often tied to official duties and personal exploration [3][4][6] - It discusses the significance of geographical landmarks, such as the Dayu Ridge, which served as a boundary for many historical figures during their journeys [4][6] Group 3: Cultural Observations - The narrative includes cultural observations about the social dynamics of travel, including the rise of entertainment and leisure activities along waterways, which contributed to the economic prosperity of regions like Jiangnan [9][10] - The description of travel experiences also reflects the societal norms and expectations of the time, such as the necessity of having a valid reason for travel [3][4]

Group 1 - The 20th Xu Xiake International Tourism Festival opened on May 17 in Jiangyin, with New Oriental Education Technology Group's chairman, Yu Minhong, appointed as the dean of Xu Xiake Cultural and Tourism College [1][4] - Yu Minhong expressed excitement about returning to his hometown and taking on the new role, emphasizing the influence of Xu Xiake's travel writings on his life [3][4] - He aims to leverage his resources to contribute to his hometown through the establishment of the Xu Xiake Cultural and Tourism College, fulfilling a long-held wish [4] Group 2 - New Oriental Education Technology Group is involved in a legal dispute, having filed a lawsuit against a similarly named agricultural company for unfair competition, which may involve a partner from a law firm [5]