Xuanzang: The Solitary Pilgrim

For any overseas college student who wants to study China, one of the ideal texts for their first course is the 16th-century novel Journey to the West because this rousing adventure story can also be read as historical fiction, political satire, and religious allegory. Scholars worldwide have found it incredibly useful for unpacking the complexities of Chinese history, language, politics, economics, and thought.

One of the great classics of Chinese literature, the 100-chapter Journey to the West is believed to have its historical basis in the epic pilgrimage of the iconic monk Xuanzang.

In the first installment of what will be a two-part feature, we’re going to follow the footsteps of this Tang monk from 1,400 years ago, on his arduous journey along the Silk Road, across deserts, over mountains, until he finally arrived at the fountainhead of Buddhism in India.