Fairyland Luofu cover

Fairyland Luofu

Rating 3.4
Word count
130K words
Chapters
35
ISBN
9787811357745

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Summary

This book is a collection of 27 essays. In a fresh style, the author presents to readers the natural and cultural landscapes of Mount Luofu, reflects on its scenery and life from a philosophical perspective, and includes a modest number of images of Luofu scenery, which is of some significance for understanding Mount Luofu and for further research on it.

Editor's review

"Fairyland Luofu" is a work that offers an in-depth interpretation of the natural and cultural landscapes of Mount Luofu, a famous mountain in Lingnan. Drawing on solid fieldwork and textual research, the author Mao Jinqin, a scholar long engaged in the study of Lingnan culture, leads readers beyond a simple scenic guide into the cultural texture and historical depth of this famous Daoist mountain. The value of the book lies not only in its systematic account of Mount Luofu's religious origins and development (especially the legend of Ge Hong alchemizing elixirs and the rise and fall of its Daoist temples) and the inscribed traces left by literati of successive dynasties, but also in its attempt to construct a mode of writing based on "sense of place"—weaving geological evolution, vegetation ecology, folk legends, and scholarly activities into a mutually illuminating web of meaning. For readers, reading this book is more like a deep humanistic walk on paper. Its interpretation of core images such as "Peach Blossom Spring Grotto-Heaven" and "Feiyun Peak," combining geographical field observation with mutual verification through poetry and painting, shows how cultural heritage is shaped and transmitted within specific landforms. A slight regret is that the book was published rather early, so some changes brought by contemporary tourism development are not included; yet this allows it to retain more authentic observations from its historical context. Overall, this is a well-structured and emotionally restrained work of regional cultural research. Its reading experience falls between an academic monograph and a humanistic essay, offering readers a rare cross-section for understanding the spiritual geography of Lingnan culture.

Who it's for

A good fit for

  • Readers with a strong interest in Lingnan local culture, Daoist history, or the humanistic geography of famous mountains
  • Travelers planning an in-depth visit to Mount Luofu who wish to understand its cultural background and historical context in advance
  • Readers who enjoy humanistic exploration by combining on-site landscapes with documentary and historical sources
  • Professionals engaged in regional cultural research, local education, or tourism planning

Not a good fit for

  • Readers seeking light, entertaining travel guides or large numbers of color landscape photographs
  • Backpackers expecting the latest practical information on tourism facilities, routes, food, and accommodation

Reading tips

  1. It is recommended to read the whole book first to form an overall impression, then use specific chapters for comparative reading during an on-site visit
  2. Readers may consult poems about Mount Luofu from various dynasties (such as works by Su Shi) or ancient texts such as the Gazetteer of Mount Luofu to deepen their understanding
  3. While reading, note how the author interlinks descriptions of natural landscapes with narratives of cultural history, and appreciate the writing method

About the publisher

Jinan University Press China · Founded in 1989

Jinan University Press is a comprehensive university press known for publishing in language and writing, history and culture, and medicine. Judging from the 2,481 titles in the database, its publishing focuses on language and writing research, the compilation of unearthed documents, Chinese culture and Eastern philosophy, traditional Chinese medicine, and grassroots medical standards. Representative books include the Chinese Dictionary (Second Edition), the series on the collected interpretation and modern translation of Warring States documents from the Language Services Series and the series on the language of unearthed documents, Chinese Cultural Psychology (6th Edition), Illustrated Compendium of Traditional Chinese Medicine Processing Techniques, and Construction and Technical Standards for Standardized Bronchoscopy Rooms in Primary-Level Pediatrics. In terms of authors, scholars such as Zhu Cheng, Zhang Yujin, Wang Fengyan, Zheng Hong, Cao Hui and Ma Zhiguo form its author base in language and documents, cultural psychology, and traditional Chinese medicine. In terms of publishing characteristics, the press emphasizes the collected interpretation and modern translation of unearthed documents and language service research, while also systematically organizing cultural psychology and medical techniques. Public information on specific matters such as overseas Chinese-language education is limited and is therefore not elaborated here.

Contents

  1. 版权信息
  2. 序一
  3. 序二
  4. 修订说明
  5. 前言
  6. 仙境罗浮
  7. 罗浮春韵
  8. 罗浮青松
  9. 罗浮翠竹
  10. 罗浮飞云
  11. 荔红时节
  12. 罗浮寻梅
  13. 罗浮瑰宝
  14. 罗浮菊香
  15. 罗浮清泉
  16. 罗浮秋色
  17. 罗浮稔红
  18. 罗浮明珠
  19. 红棉璀璨
  20. 寻觅荷塘
  21. 罗浮橘红
  22. 罗浮瀑布
  23. 石榴花开
  24. 黄龙观余思
  25. 罗浮忠烈
  26. 罗浮春茗
  27. 雨中登狮峰
  28. 重登飞云顶
  29. 雨游酥醪观
  30. 问道冲虚观
  31. 古寺华首台
  32. 罗浮腊味香
  33. 后记
  34. 附录一
  35. 附录二

FAQ

Is this book a travel guide?
This book is not a practical travel guide in the modern sense, but a work focused on humanistic history and local cultural interpretation. It carefully traces the cultural accumulation, historical relics, and spiritual connotations of Mount Luofu, making it more suitable as an in-depth cultural reader for before or after a visit.
Does the book contain many images?
As a work primarily based on textual discussion, the book contains relatively few images, mainly black-and-white photographs or line drawings used to support explanations of certain buildings, inscriptions, or topographic features; visual appreciation is not its main purpose.
What is the background of the author Mao Jinqin?
Mao Jinqin is a scholar long devoted to the study of Lingnan local history and culture, with sustained and in-depth investigation of Mount Luofu's history and culture. His writing is based on detailed historical sources and fieldwork, with a perspective that combines academic rigor and humanistic concern.

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About the author

毛锦钦 Author

Mao Jinqin is an author whose works span documentary literature, language and writing, essays and miscellaneous writings, and culture. Public information about him is limited, and details such as his place of origin, education, and professional positions are not clearly recorded. Five of his works are held in the collection, including Bloodshed at Luofu, The Wonderland of Luofu, The Poetry of Luofu, and Boluo Folk Customs, as well as The County-Level Survival of Chinese Radio and Television. These works suggest that his writing centers on the history, scenery, and folk customs of Mount Luofu and the Boluo area, bearing a distinct regional cultural character, while also extending to the survival and development of radio and television at the county level, showing concern for practical issues. His writing combines documentary and essayistic approaches across a fairly diverse range of subjects, offering readers useful texts for understanding local culture in Lingnan.

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