Wading Barefoot through a Mountain Stream: The Travel Diaries of Xu Xiake (1587-1641)


2024
Open-Access and Publication

Wading Barefoot through a Mountain Stream: The Travel Diaries of Xu Xiake (1587-1641)

James Hargett, lead translator and editor
University of Washington Press, March 2026

Cover, Walking Barefoot through a Mountain Stream.

Xu Xiake stands as China’s most distinguished traveler and travel writer, whose extensive journeys through Ming-dynasty China offer a unique window into the era’s geography, history, and cultural traditions. This new, fully annotated English translation includes maps and illustrations, allowing readers to follow Xu’s routes. It will be indispensable for scholars of Chinese history, geography, and travel writing and will bring Xu Xiake’s extraordinary journeys to a broader audience. The award from GHF will supported both print and open-access editions.