The Classic of Mountains and Seas

Composed over 2,000 years ago during the Warring States period, the Shan Hai Jing (山海经) is China's oldest and most comprehensive bestiary.

What It Contains

• Descriptions of over 200 mythical beasts
• Maps of mythical mountains and seas
• Ancient geography and cosmology
• Tales of gods, spirits, and legendary rulers

Why It Matters

This text is the foundation of Chinese mythology — predating Tolkien by two millennia.