Places of Historical and Cultural Interest in China
- A Bilingual Series
Written by Zhu Yifei, Wang Hanchang
Translated by Sun Li Wu Yiyuan
Published by Shanghai Foreign Language Education Press, 1996 first edition, 1999 third printing
Binding: Paperback, 5.10" x 8", 646 pages
ISBN: 7810099949

Places of scenic and cultural value in China are a precious part of the world's cultural heritage. Under two successive government decrees, 62 cities and towns in the country have been designated as China's Distinguished Historic Cities and over 40 scenic spots with great natural charm have been designated as national parks or natural reserves. Each of these paces may be compared to a richly endowed museum of culture as well as a museum of natural history where visitors may feast their eyes on landscape and scenery of a haunting beauty and historic relics and architecture of unsurpassable artistic and aesthetic value.

In this book will be found descriptions of 50 of the country's scenic attractions that lie scattered in the 31 provinces, autonomous regions and municipalities under the direct jurisdiction of the central government in the country. By the use of one or several mythical stories, historical legends or popular traditions, each description presents what is interesting in the world of nature with respect to each individual place against that larger background formed by it peculiar cultural history, referring in the process to facets of social conditions, economic reality, historical processes, religious beliefs, ethnic relationships, folklore, architectural achievements, garden design, ecological study, aesthetic theories and artistic and literary creations. Readers who have already been to the places described may have their memories refreshed and some of their hastily-gained impressions sorted out. Those who have not yet visited them may have their curiosity and imagination kindled.