The landscapes of Guilin are veiled in mystery by the mist. Mountain peaks are reflected in the water, and birdsong drifts from the deep forest. This is the scene of a traveler journeying through the remote reaches of Lingnan: Fan Chengda traverses mountain paths, explores caves, gathers spices, interviews local tribes, and records the wonders and customs of the Guihai region. This is the story of Fan Chengda and his work, Records of the Guihai Region. Fan Chengda (1121-1193), courtesy name Zhineng and sobriquet Hermit Shihu, was from Suzhou. A celebrated Southern Song figure, he was a poet, geographer, and writer of pastoral verse. While serving in posts including prefect of Jingjiang in Guangxi, he passed through Guangxi on his way to Shu. Reflecting on the mountains, local products, and customs he had seen along the way, he set out to write this book, guided by the aim of filling in what had not yet been recorded.
Records of the Guihai Region originally comprised three volumes, but only one survives today. It contains thirteen sections:
