Spring Cheng Expertise: China

Born and raised in China, Spring Cheng came to the United States in 1995. In 2000, she earned a Ph.D. in molecular biology from the University of Iowa, where she also met her husband, Tao Yuan. She currently lives in Redmond, Washington, and works as a scientist and biostatistician in the field of biomedical research.

Spring is an experienced technical climber, outdoor instructor, and trekker. It was through her passion for climbing that she first began leading trips to China. In 2004, she organized an expedition with a group of mountaineering friends to climb a remote peak in western China, and the following year she trekked to Kawa Karpo, a sacred mountain on the eastern Tibetan Plateau.

In 2006, Spring founded Mystic Trails to help travelers experience the broad spectrum of Chinese society. Having lived extensively in both China and the West, Spring enjoys sharing her perspective on the relationship and contrasts between the two cultures.