III:
Journey Through the Middle Kingdom

By the early 1860s, Fr. Armand David had found his dual vocation: to proclaim the Gospel and to unveil the wonders of God’s creation through scientific exploration. Appointed to the Lazarist mission in Beijing in 1862, he arrived in the Chinese capital by boat from Tianjin, passing through ancient cities like Baoding, which marked the start of an extraordinary journey that would blend pastoral care, scholarly endeavor, and adventurous travel. From his base at the Beitang mission, he would undertake three major expeditions that would place him among the most celebrated naturalists of the 19th century.

1. First Expedition: The Mountains of Northern China (1866–1867)

In early spring 1866, Fr. David launched his first significant journey, departing from Beijing and heading west to the mountainous region of Shanxi and Inner Mongolia. His route took him through Nankow Pass, Xuanhua, Datong, and across the Yan Mountains. In these regions, he collected plant specimens and documented animal species unknown to European science.

Key highlights of this expedition included:

• Discovering the Davidia involucrata, or dove tree, in the forests of western Hubei.
• Observing the golden monkey (Rhinopithecus roxellana) in its highland habitat.
• Studying the culture and geography of the mountainous Ordos region, where Mongolian influence was prominent.

Despite harsh weather and physical hardship, he sent crates of preserved plants, mammals, birds, and insects back to the National Museum of Natural History in Paris. His letters from this journey, written in both spiritual and scientific tone, demonstrate his conviction that “every element of nature is a testament to the Creator’s imagination.”

2. Second Expedition: Central China and the Yangtze River Basin (1868–1870)

Encouraged by the Museum’s enthusiastic response to his first collections, David undertook a second, more ambitious expedition in 1868. This time he explored the heartlands of China, particularly the provinces of Hubei, Sichuan, and parts of Guizhou.

Departing from Hankou (part of present-day Wuhan), David followed the Yangtze River into the rugged interior. His itinerary included:

• The Wudang Mountains, sacred in Taoist tradition, where he documented high-altitude flora.
• The plateau of Enshi, a misty realm of endemic species and karst landscapes.
• Chongqing, where he studied the intersection of urban development and biodiversity.

This journey led to the discovery of hundreds of new species and deepened David’s understanding of China’s unique ecosystems. His religious devotion remained ever-present: he would often pause during his specimen collection to pray the Divine Office, setting a rhythm of contemplation amid scientific observation.

In his travel journal, he reflected:

“I travel not merely to record nature, but to bless it, to understand it as a sacrament that reveals God’s creative breath.”

3. Third Expedition: The Tibetan Frontier and the Giant Panda (1870–1873)

Perhaps the most fabled of David’s journeys was his third expedition, which took him to the Tibetan frontier of western Sichuan. Beginning in Muping and Baoxing counties, he reached alpine forests that no European had ever documented before. It was here, in 1869, that he encountered the skin of a mysterious bear-like animal with striking black and white fur.

This animal was the giant panda, a species then unknown to Western science. David obtained a complete specimen and sent it to Paris, where it caused an immediate sensation. The “panda discovery” remains his most iconic contribution to zoology.

The expedition’s path took him through:

• The highlands of Baoxing, where he braved landslides and disease.
• Monastic settlements along the Tibetan border, where he engaged in respectful dialogue with Buddhist monks.
• Forests of the Min Mountains, where he documented numerous alpine species of birds and mammals.

Despite growing physical ailments—he suffered from dysentery and fatigue—David remained committed to his dual calling. In remote chapels and waystations, he celebrated Mass and shared the Word with villagers, often with the help of local catechists. His missionary reports were as detailed as his scientific notebooks, each infused with a tone of humility and wonder.

4. Legacy of the Expeditions

Fr. Armand David’s travels in China contributed more than 100 new species to European taxonomy, including:

• The Père David’s deer (Elaphurus davidianus), a semiaquatic deer later extinct in the wild.
• Numerous bird species, many of which still bear his name.
• Medicinal plants still being studied for pharmacological value today.

He did not undertake these journeys alone. Local guides, Christian converts, and Vincentian brothers provided essential support. David’s approach was collaborative—he trusted and respected the knowledge of local peoples, often crediting them for finding paths, identifying medicinal herbs, and understanding animal behavior.

His methodology blended modern science with a deeply theological worldview. He did not see nature as a resource to be exploited, but as a revelation to be cherished. His correspondence with French scientists often included moral and spiritual reflections—making him a rare bridge between Enlightenment rationalism and ecclesial tradition.

A Missionary Naturalist for the Ages

Armand David’s travels through China are not merely chapters of adventure or scientific triumph. They are testimonies of faith in motion—a man consecrated to Christ who walked among mountains, rivers, and villages with a heart open to both divine mystery and earthly beauty. His journeys symbolize a Vincentian spirituality that sees God in all things, and all things as signs pointing to God.

In the next and final part of this series, we will reflect on the enduring impact of Fr. David’s legacy—how his life continues to inspire ecologists, missionaries, and spiritual seekers alike.