The Waterways Classic (Volumes 1 and 2)

Author: Li Daoyuan (Northern Wei Dynasty)
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-01-01
Features: The Waterways Classic Commentary (Shui Jing Zhu) was written by Li Daoyuan of the Northern Wei Dynasty as a commentary on The Waterways Classic (Shui Jing). In form, The Waterways Classic Commentary appears to be a note on The Waterways Classic, but in content, it is not only more than 20 times larger than The Waterways Classic but also rich and vivid, making it a renowned immortal classic. The Waterways Classic Commentary records a total of 1,252 rivers, as well as over 500 lakes and swamps, more than 200 springs, and other groundwater sources such as wells. The Waterways Classic Commentary not only discusses rivers but also provides detailed accounts of the landforms, geology, minerals, and flora and fauna along the riverbanks. It holds significant importance in geography, archaeology, and water conservancy, while also achieving outstanding accomplishments in literature. It is a collection of landscape prose from the Wei, Jin, Southern and Northern Dynasties periods, a compendium of mythological legends, a guide to famous scenic spots and historical sites, and an archive of local customs and traditions. This book is part of the Ancient Chinese Leisure Series.
The Waterways Classic was written by Li Daoyuan of the Northern Wei Dynasty as the main text for The Waterways Classic. The Waterways Classic is an ancient Chinese book that specifically records the river systems of China, divided into three volumes, with the author now unknown. In terms of content, it is likely that it was drafted during the Xin Dynasty and Eastern Han Dynasty and completed during the Three Kingdoms period. The Waterways Classic mentions 137 rivers, but it only briefly discusses the sources and courses of each river, as well as the river into which it flows—its brevity is evident. In form, The Waterways Classic Commentary appears to be a note on The Waterways Classic, but in content, it is not only more than 20 times larger than The Waterways Classic but also rich and vivid, making it a renowned immortal classic. The Waterways Classic Commentary records a total of 1,252 rivers, as well as over 500 lakes and swamps, more than 200 springs and wells, and other groundwater sources. The Waterways Classic Commentary not only discusses rivers but also provides detailed accounts of the landforms, geology, minerals, and flora and fauna along the riverbanks. It holds significant importance in geography, archaeology, and water conservancy, while also achieving outstanding accomplishments in literature. It is a collection of landscape prose from the Wei, Jin, Southern and Northern Dynasties periods, a compendium of mythological legends, a guide to famous scenic spots and historical sites, and an archive of local customs and traditions.