"Haidao Jing" is a practical manual on navigation compiled by an unknown author in the Yuan Dynasty. It was written around the time when water transportation and maritime transportation between the north and the south were flourishing. The book focuses on recording the voyage from the south of the Yangtze River to Zhigu via sea route, with detailed notes on the islands, shoals, reefs, water depth and tides along the way. It was an important guide for boatmen and water transport officials at that time.
The book not only has a "Preparation" chapter, which teaches people how to anchor and avoid anchoring when there is a tailwind, headwind or strong wind, and prevent water accumulation and ship damage, it also includes a "Seaway" section, which explains the dangers and response methods at sea paragraph by paragraph, reminding sailors how to observe the color of the tide and identify the water potential to avoid dangerous shoals. There are also contents such as "Zhantianmen", "Zhanyunmen", "Zhanfengmen" and "Zhanrimen", which use celestial phenomena, cloud potential and sun shadow to predict wind and rain and judge the course, reflecting the wisdom of combining astronomy and experience in ancient navigation.
The greatest feature of "Haidao Jing" lies in its practicality and historical value: it directly served the practice of water transportation in the Yuan Dynasty, truly presented the navigation environment and operation methods at that time, and also preserved important information on sea transportation, ship technology and meteorological observation in ancient China. It is both a sailing guide and a unique historical archive, giving people a glimpse into the whole picture of ancient navigation and transportation.
