Introduction

Throughout China’s long history, classic texts have played a vital role in shaping the country and influencing the daily lives of its people. They have provided academic learning, practical advice and instructions on how to live in harmony with man and nature. They have also given expression to hopes and dreams, joys and sorrows.

In this series of short articles, originally published in a weekly column in the English-language Shanghai Daily, we introduce classic texts spanning more than 3,000 years and covering subjects ranging from medicine, mathematics and military strategy to religion, literature, arts and travel.

These articles, written by Shanghai Daily’s founding Editor-in-Chief Zhang Ciyun, tell interesting stories behind some of China’s most famous classic texts and reveal their indelible mark on the Chinese culture and their enduring influence in the country’s history.