Title: Diary of a Journey to the West

Author: Zhao Zhenwu

Publisher: Sino-Culture Press

Edition: 1st Edition, July 2015

Format: 16 - mo Binding: Soft - hardcover

Printed Sheets: 14 Word Count: 130,000 characters

ISBN: 9787507543827

Price: 38.00 CNY

As two great civilizations in the world, the Chinese civilization and the Arab - Islamic civilization have achieved splendid cultural accomplishments over thousands of years of development, contributing precious spiritual wealth to humanity. The exchanges between Chinese and Arab civilizations began when our ancestors "rode on horses and traveled along the post - roads" on the Silk Road. For thousands of years, the spirit of openness, inclusiveness, and mutual learning has been passed down from generation to generation. Today, with the strengthening of dialogue and cooperation between China and Arab countries, especially with the proposal of the national strategies of the "Silk Road Economic Belt" and the "21st - Century Maritime Silk Road", cultural exchanges between China and Arab countries have become more active and colorful.

Diary of a Journey to the West records the local customs and the living conditions of Muslims in Southeast Asia, South Asia, Central Asia, and North African countries that the author witnessed in the 1930s. It has important historical value. This is the first re - publication of the book since it was published in 1933.

During his tenure as an editor of Yuehua magazine, the author, accompanied by Ma Songting and two others, escorted five students from Chengda Normal School, namely Han Hongkui, Wang Shiming, Jin Diangui, Ma Jinpeng, and Zhang Bingduo, to study at Al - Azhar University in Egypt. The eight - member group took a train from Beijing to Shanghai, then boarded a sea - going ship and passed through Hong Kong, Singapore, and Bombay in India, arriving at Port Said in Egypt. They then changed to a train to Cairo. After sending the five students to the school, the author and his companions had an audience with King Farouk of Egypt in Cairo. Subsequently, the three of them, including Zhao Zhenwu, went to Jerusalem to visit historical sites, and then went to Mecca for the pilgrimage. They also had an audience with the King of Saudi Arabia. In the spring of the following year, they returned to Shanghai by ship together with 50 Chinese pilgrims who came for the pilgrimage. The whole book is written in the form of a diary, starting from November 28, 1932, and ending on May 19, 1933.

Zhao Zhenwu (1895 - 1938), originally named Zhao Bin, with the courtesy name Zhenwu, was from Zhuoxian County, Hebei Province. Later, he lived in Niujie, Beiping. In his youth, he studied Arabic and Turkish with a Turkish professor at Niujie Mosque. Later, he studied in the Frontier Politics Department of Beiping Law and Politics College. After graduation, he served in the Altay region of Xinjiang for several years. In 1923, he returned to Beiping and served as a lecturer in the History Department of Yenching University. Later, he became a civil servant of the Beiping Municipal Government. In 1928, he concurrently served as a Chinese teacher at Chengda Normal School. In October 1929, when the Yuehua magazine was established, he served as the chief editor. His works include Diary of a Journey to the West and Notes from Linzhai.

Chapter 1: Before Departure

Chapter 2: The Long Ocean Voyage and Stops Along the Way

Chapter 3: In Cairo

Chapter 4: A Glimpse of Bayt al - Muqaddas

Chapter 5: The Return Journey

Postscript to Diary of a Journey to the West