Classic of Mountains and Seas

About “Classic of Mountains and Seas”

The Classic of Mountains and Seas, also known as Shanhai jing, is a Chinese classic text that compiles mythic geography and beasts. It is a fabulous geographical and cultural account of pre-Qin China and a collection of Chinese mythology. The text is divided into eighteen sections and describes over 550 mountains and 300 channels. Early versions of the text may have existed since the 4th century BCE, but the present form was not established until the early Han dynasty. The work includes descriptions of strange creatures and legendary places. It remains an important source for understanding ancient Chinese mythology and geography. (Summary adapted from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0.)