Coy Ma Helps Chinese-American Seniors on Their Ancestral Journey

In 2024, I received a very special email. It was from Mr. Kenny Chin, a Chinese-American in his seventies. He told me that his ancestral home was in Taishan, Guangdong, but because he had moved to the United States with his parents at a young age, his memories of his hometown were very blurry. His biggest wish was to return to his ancestral land and find his family roots while he still could.

Faded Memories and Real Challenges

I was deeply moved by his story and truly wanted to help. But from the start, I faced significant challenges. They only knew their ancestral home was in Taishan but couldn't name the specific village. Since they had lived in the U.S. for so long, they didn't speak Chinese, which made communication difficult. And because so much time had passed, they knew almost nothing about their parents' lives back then.

Tracing Roots and Thoughtful Arrangements

Despite the obstacles, I gave it my all. I started with their surname and contacted Taishan's overseas Chinese affairs office and village committee. I pored over genealogy records and even visited local elders. Finally, after a lot of searching, I pinpointed their ancestral village. When Kenny and his wife heard the news, they were incredibly excited.

We immediately arranged their root-seeking journey: Guangzhou - Shenzhen - Jiangmen, - Foshan - Guilin - Kunming - Chongqing - Chengdu - Jiuzhaigou - Chengdu.We arranged a direct flight from San Francisco to Guangzhou.

For the trip, I booked a direct flight from San Francisco to Guangzhou. At the airport, we arranged a comfortable business van to take them to Taishan. Knowing their age, I carefully chose a local four-star hotel and customized meals to suit their needs. To bridge the language gap, I provided a bilingual guide fluent in both Cantonese and English.

Tears of Reunion After So Long

We arranged a special surprise: We contacted their relatives in Taishan ahead of time to organize a heartwarming family reunion. The most touching moment was the day of the reunion itself. Everyone welcomed them with such warmth and enthusiasm. With tears in their eyes, the elderly couple kept repeating, "We've finally found our home."

Discovering China’s More Scenic Treasures

Beyond the ancestral search, I also designed sightseeing stops along the way so they could better connect with the land of their birth. After leaving Taishan, the journey north revealed breathtaking landscapes that deeply impressed Mr. and Mrs. Kenny Chin and their companions.

In Guilin, they boarded a boat on the Li River, surrounded by misty green mountains and crystal-clear waters. One elder sighed with emotion: “Now I understand why the paintings in Chinatown always showed landscapes like this—our homeland truly looks like a painting.”

In Kunming, they wandered through the Stone Forest, an ocean of towering limestone pillars in every shape imaginable. The elders laughed and snapped photos nonstop, their excitement as pure as children discovering something new.

And in Jiuzhaigou, when they first laid eyes on its emerald lakes and rainbow-colored forests, silence fell over the group. Finally, one whispered: “I never imagined our motherland’s scenery could be even more magnificent than I dreamed.

A Dream Fulfilled, a Connection Continued

After the trip, they sent me a video expressing their gratitude, saying the journey had fulfilled a lifelong dream. They still keep in touch with their relatives in Taishan and have recommended me to their friends.

For me, this experience was more than just a job; it was a special connection. Being able to help Kenny and his family find their ancestral home and reunite with their relatives was incredibly moving for me as well. The moment I saw their tears of joy, I understood the true meaning of travel. It's not just about seeing places; it's about reconnecting people with their roots and their emotions. As a travel planner, my greatest sense of accomplishment comes from this kind of heartfelt happiness and fulfillment.