Journey to the West: A Brief Chronicle

Author: Zhang Henshu
Publisher:
Publishing Date: 2003-08-01
Features: Under the guidance of the central government's strategic deployment for the development of the western region, the cultural and historical researchers and publishing workers in Gansu have worked hard in close collaboration to organize, compile, and publish a series of works on the ancient and modern culture and history of the northwest in recent years. These works reveal various aspects of the historical landscape of the northwest, serving as a mirror for the development and construction in the new era. Among them, the "Collected Records of the Northwest Journey" published by Gansu People's Publishing House in January 2002 and August 2003, comprising a total of 20 volumes in two series, is one of the more substantial compilations.
The "Northwest Journey" refers to the travelogues left behind by individuals from the inland regions to the northwest of China during various historical periods, whether for missions, surveys, tourism, or appointments. These records cover the economy, politics, culture, military affairs, folklore, astronomy, geography, mountains, rivers, and local products of the northwest in different eras, providing a multi-faceted reflection of the natural and social landscapes of the region. They are extremely valuable historical materials for understanding the social and cultural history of the northwest.
Because these are personal works, the records are based on the author's firsthand observations and experiences, making them more authentic. Due to their hybrid nature of history and literature, they blend the essence of historical study with the author's literary sensibility, combining factual accounts with descriptive and reflective writing. The style is spontaneous and free-form, with vivid and lively language, making them highly readable. They represent a significant creative achievement by ancient scholars in the intersection of history and literature, embodying a dynamic and vibrant literary form!
The earliest existing "Northwest Journeys" are the "Record of Buddhist Kingdoms" by the Eastern Jin monk Faxian and the "Travel Records" by Song Yun of the Northern Wei Dynasty, but their descriptions of the northwest are extremely brief. The "Record of the Western Regions in the Great Tang" by Xuanzang only covers a small part of the northwest. Most of the writings of travelers to the west during the Tang and Song dynasties are now incomplete. From the Yuan and Ming dynasties onwards, such works gradually increased. Particularly during the Qing and Republican periods, "Northwest Journeys" flourished, with over a hundred documented examples. Their descriptions became more detailed, and their content more extensive. Some works, while narrating events, also offered insightful perspectives on the governance, stability, development, and construction of the northwest, holding high "historical reference" value.
The study of these "Northwest Journeys" has long been valued by academia. At the beginning of the 20th century, with the rise of "Northwest Studies," historical and geographical research on the northwest attracted many scholars, such as Wang Guowei, Feng Chengjun, Xiang Da, and Zhang Xinglang, who achieved remarkable results. However, most previous studies focused on works from before the Yuan and Ming dynasties, often confined to the field of historical geography. The vast number of works from the Qing dynasty and later have received little attention, and many Republican-era works are known only to a few specialists, often stored away in libraries.
In our view, research in this field is not merely a matter of historical geography but also broadly involves disciplines such as history, geography, cultural studies, anthropology, ethnology, and folklore. It should be treated as an important component of the overall study of the social and cultural history of the northwest. In today's context of developing the northwest and achieving China's four modernizations, the organization and study of these "Northwest Journeys" as part of the research on the cultural history of the northwest will undoubtedly provide valuable historical references for contemporary development and construction.
Moreover, these firsthand records of the social life of the northwest can break the narrow confines of specialized research and be selectively promoted to a broader readership to understand the past and present prosperity and decline of their homeland, the historical footprints of the people struggling forward on the yellow land, and the anecdotes and legends of the places where they weep and rejoice. Their spiritual and cultural value is particularly immeasurable.
The "Collected Records of the Northwest Journey" is compiled based on these considerations, selecting and compiling 37 famous "Northwest Journeys" from the 19th century onwards into 20 volumes. The first series consists of 10 volumes with 25 works, while the second series comprises 10 volumes with 12 works. The time span covers from 1805 to the period of the Anti-Japanese War, with content reflecting the road networks, climate, local products, urban and rural landscapes, folk customs, political changes, religious and ethnic relations, and the development of economy and culture and education in the northwest (Gansu, Ningxia, Qinghai, Xinjiang, Shaanxi, and surrounding provinces) over the past 200 years. It can serve as a window for readers interested in the development of the northwest and the modernization process of China to understand the ancient and modern northwest from different, micro-perspective angles.
[The Ancient Yellow River Bridge]. Before the construction of the Jinpu and Pinghan railways, the only bridge across the Yellow River from the sea to Shandong was the floating bridge outside the gates of Lanzhou City, hence the old saying "A Bridge Across the Ancient Yellow River." The bridge was located outside the northern gate of the city, visible upon exiting. However, it was originally a floating bridge, now replaced by an iron bridge. In the summer of 1934, the renowned writer Zhang Henshu departed from Beijing, stopping briefly in Zhengzhou and Luoyang before entering Shaanxi and beginning his journey from Tong Pass to Lanzhou. His "Notes on a Journey West" recorded the scenic spots and folk customs along the way from the perspective of a traveler, serving as a guide for readers.
"Notes on a Journey West" is the travelogue of Zhang Henshu, a famous modern Chinese writer known to all. After Japan occupied Northeast China in 1931, many intellectuals, driven by a strong sense of urgency, advocated the development of the northwest and the construction of a rear base to support the anti-Japanese war effort. As a result, people from the southeast flocked to the northwest for investigation. In May 1934, Zhang Henshu, accompanied by a young colleague from the Beihu Fine Arts College, left Beijing for the northwest to conduct research. The investigation lasted nearly three months. Using the "hardship of the northwest people" as his theme, Zhang Henshu wrote the two novels "The Swallow Returns" and "Little Western Paradise" to reflect the vast social landscape of the northwest, while his observations and experiences along the journey were recorded in "Notes on a Journey West," introducing scenic spots, folk customs, and historical geography to draw attention to the development of the northwest.
"Notes on a Journey West" is the travelogue of Li Gufen, a senior staff member of the Bank of China, who traveled to Gansu, Qinghai, Sichuan, and Shaanxi from March 19, 1934, to December 19, 1934, recording his observations during his official duties. The book consists of 31 chapters, generally arranged in chronological order. The author devoted significant space to describing the bombing of Chongqing, Chengdu, Lanzhou, Xi'an, Baoji, Hanzhong, and Guilin by Japanese aircraft, as well as the orderly evacuation and calm air defense measures taken by the local people. The book also provides detailed accounts of the Tibetan and Tibetan Buddhist, as well as Hui and Islamic, communities in Gansu and Qinghai, covering monasteries, sects, and living customs with vivid descriptions. Additionally, the book offers in-depth insights into the customs, folk traditions, and daily life in western cities such as Chengdu, Xi'an, and Lanzhou, while also critiquing some outdated practices.
In summary, this book holds high reference value for understanding the social life of western China during the Anti-Japanese War and for compiling local historical records of the western regions.