April 2023

The first biographical history book describing the last dynasty in Chinese history Overview Chinese Name: 汉书 English Name: Han Shu, Hanshu, Book of Han Other Names: History of the Former Han前汉书（Qian Han Shu）, Book of Former Han前汉书 Author: Ban Gu班固, Ban Zhao班昭, Ma Xu马续 Originally Published: 105 A.D Genre: History Book of Han 汉书 Brief […]

The foundational text in Chinese civilization Overview Chinese Name: 史记 English Name: Shi Ji, Shiji, Records of the Grand Historian, Records of the Historian Other Names: Taishi Gongshu太史公书, Taishi Gongji太史公记 Author: Sima Qian司马迁 Originally Published: the Western Han Dynasty西汉时期 Genre: History Shi Ji 史记 Records of the Grand Historian Brief Introduction of the Records of

China’s first history book written with the state as the narrative unit Overview Chinese Name: 国语 English Name: Guo Yu, Guoyu, Discourses of the States Other Names: Chun Qiu Wai Zhuan春秋外传, Zuo Shi Wai Zhuan左氏外传 Author: Zuo Qiuming 左丘明 or ？ Originally Published: End of the Spring and Autumn Period Genre: History Guo Yu国语 Brief

The cornerstone of China’s modern ideological enlightenment Overview Chinese Name: 日知录 English Name: Ri Zhi Lu, Rizhilu Author: Gu Yanwu 顾炎武 Originally Published: 1670 A.D（Late Ming and Early Qing Dynasty） Genre: Philosophy Ri Zhi Lu日知录 Brief Introduction of Ri Zhi Lu Ri Zhi Lu is the representative work of Gu Yanwu, a famous scholar and great thinker in the late

Chronicle history books with complete narration Overview Chinese Name: 左传 English Name: Zuo Zhuan, Tradition of Zuo, The Zuo Tradition, The Commentary of Zuo Other Names: Zuo Shi Chun Qiu左氏春秋, Chun Qiu Zuo Shi Zhuan春秋左氏传, Zuo Shi左氏, Chun Qiu Nei Zhuan春秋内传 Author: Zuo Qiuming 左丘明 or ？ Originally Published: End of the Spring and Autumn

The most authoritative geographical documents in Central and South Asia in the Middle Ages Overview Chinese Name: 大唐西域记 English Name: Great Tang Records on the Western Regions, Da Tang Xi Yu Ji Other Name: Xi Yu JI西域记 (Records on the Western Regions) Author: Xuan Zang 玄奘, Bian Ji 辩机 Originally Published: 646 A.D (Tang Dynasty)

China’s first systematic monograph on historical theory Overview Chinese Name: 史通 English Name: Shi Tong, Shitong Author: Liu Zhiji 刘知几 Originally Published: 710 A.D Genre: History Shi Tong 史通 Brief Introduction of Shi Tong Shi Tong史通 is the first systematic monograph on historical theory in China. The author is Liu Zhiji刘知几 of the Tang Dynasty.

Not only a masterpiece of geographical science, but also a treasure of literature and art. Overview Chinese Name: 水经注 English Name: Shuijing Zhu, Shui Jing Zhu, Commentary on the Water Classic, Commentaries on the Water Classic Author: Li Daoyuan 郦道元 Originally Published: Northern Wei Dynasty (386-534 AD)北魏时期 Genre: Geography Shui Jing Zhu水经注 Brief Introduction of

The only book in Chinese history describing urban temples Overview Chinese Name: 洛阳伽蓝记 English Name: Luo Yang Qie Lan Ji, Luo Yang Kalan Ji Other Name: Qie Lan Ji/Kalan Ji 伽蓝记 Author: Yang Xuanzhi 杨衒之 Originally Published: 547 A.D Genre: History, Religion, Geography Luo Yang Qie Lan Ji 洛阳伽蓝记 Brief Introduction of the Luo Yang

Biographical historical works focusing on the history of the Eastern Han Dynasty Overview Chinese Name: 后汉书 English Name: Hou Han Shu, Book of the Later Han, History of the Later Han Author: Fan Ye范晔, Sima Biao司马彪 Originally Published: 432-445 A.D Genre: History Book of the Later Han后汉书 Brief Introduction of the Book of the Later