US 'Post-90s' Scholar Recites Classical Poems for Free Museum Entry
SingTao · 2 SOURCES1 day ago3 MIN
Summary
A 90s-born American scholar named Jack (Ke Luhan) has become the first foreign tourist to successfully complete the poem-recitation challenge at the Cao Cao Tomb Museum in Henan Province, reciting Cao Cao's classics "Observing the Ocean" and "Although the Turtle Lives Long" to gain free entry on September 13, 2026 . The challenge requires participants to fully recite any two poems by Cao Cao to waive the 50-yuan admission fee, a cultural promotion initiative launched during the 2026 Lunar New Year . Jack's exceptional Mandarin proficiency—he holds the highest HSK Level 9 certification and a Level 2A Mandarin certificate—alongside his 2018 "Chinese Bridge" competition championship, have made him a viral sensation . Netizens have praised his pronunciation as more standard than many native speakers from southern China, with some joking whether his English or their Chinese is better . Beyond this museum, Jack has visited numerous cultural landmarks across China, including the Tengwang Pavilion in Nanchang, Huaqing Palace in Xi'an, and Wolonggang in Nanyang, successfully reciting lengthy classical texts such as "The Song of Everlasting Sorrow," "Pipa Xing," and "The Memorial to the Premier" to enjoy free admission .
Key Points
- On September 13, 2026, Jack (Ke Luhan) at the Cao Cao Tomb Museum in Henan fully recited "Observing the Ocean" and "Although the Turtle Lives Long" to become the first foreign tourist to pass the challenge
- The museum's challenge, launched during the 2026 Lunar New Year, requires reciting two Cao Cao poems to waive the 50-yuan ticket
- Jack has achieved HSK Level 9 (the highest), Level 2A Mandarin proficiency, and won the 2018 Chinese Bridge World University Chinese Competition Americas Championship
- He has visited multiple cultural sites including Nanchang Tengwang Pavilion (reciting "Tengwang Ge Xu"), Xi'an Huaqing Palace, Nanyang Wolonggang (reciting "Chu Shi Biao"), and Jiujiang Pipa Pavilion
- Chinese netizens have praised his pronunciation as more standard than many southern native speakers, calling him "like an ancient Chinese poet"
Why It Matters
The enthusiasm of an American scholar for Chinese classical literature underscores the growing global appeal of traditional Chinese culture. For Hong Kong readers, this story highlights how cultural heritage can serve as a bridge between civilizations—Jack's journey demonstrates that classical Chinese poetry transcends borders and resonates with international audiences, offering inspiration for promoting Hong Kong's own rich historical and cultural assets to global visitors.
The enthusiasm of an American scholar for Chinese classical literature underscores the growing global appeal of traditional Chinese culture. For Hong Kong readers, this story highlights how cultural heritage can serve as a bridge between civilizations—Jack's journey demonstrates that classical Chinese poetry transcends borders and resonates with international audiences, offering inspiration for promoting Hong Kong's own rich historical and cultural assets to global visitors.