Chinese collections at the Bodleian: Literature

The Journey to the West - otherwise known as the Monkey King - is one of the great Chinese novels. It tells the story of a Buddhist monk's travels to the Western regions and his trials and adventures as part of this journey.
This version is one of the earliest editions of the book. It has been in the Bodleian Libraries' collections since the mid-seventeenth century.
Written in colloquial Chinese language, this particular edition was for popular consumption.
The Bodleian Libraries in Oxford have one of the most significant Chinese rare book and manuscript collections outside China containing the largest number of Chinese books that arrived in Europe in 17th century.
As part of a ten-year project funded by Chung Hon Dak Foundation, we have digitised over 1,800 items, as well as worked with the local Chinese community to explore our collections in more detail.
visit.bodleian.ox.ac.uk/chine...