Ancient Pass of Shanxi

Author: Lu Youquan
Publisher:
Publishing Date: 2005-01-01
Features: Shanxi is one of the important birthplaces of Chinese civilization, but many of its historical sites are now endangered and urgently need rescue and protection—rediscovering those cultural "pearls." Shanxi is one of the important birthplaces of Chinese civilization, and its rich historical artifacts rank among the top in all provinces of China, making it a worthy "province of cultural relics." Liaoning People's Publishing House, with its unique perspective, has selected from the many cultural treasures those that best reflect local characteristics yet are often overlooked, launching a distinctive series titled "Treasures of Chinese Culture·Shanxi Volume." The first four books in the series are: "Ancient Temples in Shanxi," "Ancient Passes in Shanxi," "Ancient Ferry Crossings in Shanxi," and "Ancient Opera Troupes in Shanxi."
The series focuses on four groups of material cultural heritage: "ancient ferry crossings," "ancient passes," "ancient temples," and "ancient opera troupes." These four types of heritage have never been systematically organized or studied before. Even when mentioned, they were merely decorative descriptions of a single scenic spot, scattered across various travel books. This time, the series offers a macro and micro perspective, from the material appearance to the intrinsic meaning, excavating Shanxi's unique regional culture while documenting the ancient and fading Jin civilization. The series aims to popularize academic knowledge and culture, making the "treasures of Chinese culture" accessible to readers in a form they enjoy.
In terms of writing style, the series employs prose techniques, with a flexible and poetic approach that is both relaxed and thought-provoking. Each entry in the series is accompanied by exquisite photographs, accounting for one-third of the book. Some of these photos are historical images, extremely valuable; others are newly taken, reflecting the current state of the heritage. The combination of text and images is engaging and captivating.
In Ancient Passes in Shanxi, the author provides a macro description of the nearly 200 ancient passes scattered across Shanxi, with a focus on 25 that remain relatively intact. Some of these are well-known tourist attractions, such as the Lady Pass, Gu Pass, Yanmen Pass, and Pingxing Pass. For these passes, the author delves into cultural dimensions, offering academic analysis: historical debates over their construction and decline, comparisons of architectural scale and style, the wars they endured, and related inscriptions by famous figures or legends from different dynasties.
When reading these texts, one always feels that these passes are genuine historical relics, not mere "attractions" developed and embellished by; they are cultural labyrinths worth exploring endlessly, not superficial or trivial displays. This makes the book stand out from the shallow and ordinary tone of typical travel guides, giving it the depth and quality of an academic work.