Touring China: A History of Travel Culture, 1912-1949

Yajun Mo's book explores how early twentieth-century Chinese sightseers described their destinations, giving readers a means to imagine their vast country. The roots of China's tourism market stretch back over a hundred years, with railroad and steamship networks expanding into coastal regions. Travel literature revealed a tension between national unity and anxiety about China's potential fall apart.

Format: Hardback
Length: 318 pages
Publication date: 15 December 2021
Publisher: Cornell University Press

The roots of China's tourism market can be traced back over a century ago, when railroad and steamship networks expanded into the coastal regions. This expansion opened up new opportunities for travel and exploration, leading to the growth of tourism-related businesses and publications in urban centers. At the same time, scientific exploration, investigative journalism, and wartime travel also propelled many Chinese from the eastern seaboard to its peripheries.

Yajun Mo's book explores not only accounts of overseas travel and voyages across borderlands but also trips within China. Through travel and travel writing, people experienced and reinforced the unity of China's coastal regions, inland provinces, and western frontiers. However, travel literature also revealed a persistent tension between the aspiration for national unity and the anxiety that China might fall apart.

One of the key themes of Touring China is the impact of Western influence on Chinese culture and society. As China opened up to the world, it was exposed to new ideas, technologies, and ways of thinking. This led to a blending of traditional Chinese culture with Western elements, creating a unique blend of cultures that is still evident today.

Another theme is the role of technology in shaping travel experiences. With the advent of railways, steamships, and automobiles, travel became more accessible and convenient, allowing people to explore new destinations and cultures. This also led to the growth of tourism-related industries, such as hotels, restaurants, and travel agencies.

Touring China provides a rich and detailed account of the various journeys people took during the early twentieth century. It sheds light on the physical and intellectual routes people took, the challenges they faced, and the experiences they had. It also offers insights into the cultural and social changes that took place during this period, as China transitioned from an empire to a nation-state.

In conclusion, Touring China is a valuable contribution to the study of travel and exploration in China. It provides a comprehensive account of the various journeys people took during the early twentieth century, and sheds light on the cultural, social, and political changes that took place during this period. Whether you are interested in history, culture, or travel, this book is a must-read for anyone who wants to understand the complexities of China's past and present.

Weight: 28g
Dimension: 229 x 152 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781501760624