Fifteen Topics in Historical Geography of China

Lectures on Chinese Historical Geography is a landmark work that bridges a three-decade gap in English-language introductions to China’s historical geography. This comprehensive volume offers profound insights into how the dynamic interplay between geography, history, and human civilization has shaped China’s landscape, culture, and development from prehistoric times to the present. Covering a wide range of topics, the book examines the evolution of territorial boundaries, the long-standing debates over warm and cold periods in the past 2,000 years, and the connections between shifting economic centers and migration patterns. It also explores the strategic role of rivers, canals, and ancient roads, as well as the cultural exchanges fostered by the Silk Road and the influence of geography on ancient strategic spaces and capital cities. Since its original publication in 2015, the book has been reprinted over a dozen times and republished twice. It has become a key reference for historical geography courses at universities across China and is widely regarded as one of the most comprehensive and influential works in the field. Lectures on Chinese Historical Geography is an essential resource for understanding the geographical foundations of China’s history and the evolution of human-environment interactions.