Xu Xiake

from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Portrait of Xu Xiake
Xu Xiake's home

Xu Xiake ( Chinese  徐霞客 , Pinyin Xú Xiákè ; * 1586 ; † 1641 ) was a Chinese geographer and writer.

Xu traveled to thirteen Chinese provinces from 1608 until his death, collecting maps and documents. He researched the respective local geology and geography, the local lifestyle and the flora. He went through great hardship during the journey and died early.

Xu summarized his findings in the 20-volume work travel descriptions of Xu Xiake (《徐霞客 遊記》; Xú Xiákè Yóujì), which was very important for historiography.

Works

  • Li Chi (translator): The Travel Diaries of Hsü Hsia-k'o. Hong Kong, Chinese University Press 1974
  • Julian Ward: Xu Xiake (1587-1641): The Art of Travel Writing . Routledge Chapman & Hall, 2000. ISBN 978-0-700713196

Web links