"Rongcheng Fenghua Lu - The Story of Guangzhou as Described by Famous Figures from China and Abroad"

Author: None
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Publish Date: 2006-12-01
Features: Guangzhou, since its establishment by Ren Xiao in 214 BC, has a history of 2,220 years. It is one of the oldest famous cities in China. Although located in the southern part of the Five Mountains, Guangzhou has been the economic, political, and cultural center of Lingnan since its founding (after the Qin Dynasty pacified the Lingnan region) and has also been an important port for China's foreign trade and a window for cultural exchange with overseas. As a result, many famous officials and scholars from past dynasties have visited this southern city, leaving behind numerous renowned writings. Unfortunately, no one had previously collected and compiled these works for preservation and study. To fill this gap, the Guangzhou Academy of History and Culture decided to compile a book titled "Famous Figures from China and Overseas Writing About Guangzhou" to enrich the historical and cultural connotations of Guangzhou, contribute more to building Guangzhou into a cultural powerhouse, and celebrate the 2,220th anniversary of its founding.
The compilation of this book involved not only the academy's own members but also a large number of external experts in history and culture who were invited to gather materials and recommend famous works. In just three short months, over 200 famous works by renowned figures were collected. After careful selection, 81 pieces were included, featuring works from before the Tang Dynasty such as Zhao Tuo's "Letter to Emperor Wen of the Han Dynasty," Sima Qian's "On Ren Xiao and Panyu," Wang Bo's "Stele of the Precious Treasure Pagoda of Guangzhou's Baoyuan Temple," and Han Yu's "Stele of the South Sea God Guangli Wang Temple." It also includes famous writings by great scholars and writers from the Song and Ming dynasties such as Su Dongpo, Cui Yu, and Zhan Ruoshui. Additionally, there are articles by patriotic martyrs and revolutionary writers from the Qing Dynasty, as well as beautiful prose left by modern literary giants like Lu Xun, Guo Moruo, and Ba Jin.
Notably, this book also includes writings by foreign friends such as diplomats, missionaries, explorers, writers, and translators from the Netherlands, Portugal, the United States, and the United Kingdom, who recorded their impressions of Guangzhou during their visits or after returning home. Although their perspectives differ, these works provide a reflection of Guangzhou as seen by foreigners. These articles not only help us understand Guangzhou's past and even its distant past but also serve as valuable historical materials for studying the city. They represent a precious cultural heritage.
It can be said that selecting and compiling some of these famous works by past figures about Guangzhou is not only a valuable cultural accumulation but also a concise and accessible read for those interested in learning about Guangzhou's history and culture today.