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<p>This study situates ‘tourist’ and ‘tourism’ within the framework of traditional Chinese philosophy, its humanistic spirit and intrinsic values. By exploring the traditional tourist culture—the <i>shanshui</i> (山水) spirit—as reflected in ancient Chinese <i>shanshui</i> paintings, and analysing ancient Chinese texts on literature and painting, it concludes that tourism philosophically represents the praxis of <i>Tao</i> (道) by the Perfect Man (至人) in pursuit of Perfect Beauty (至美) and Perfect Happiness (至乐). <i>Shanshui</i> embodies the geography of the mind’s eye. The five identified themes within <i>shanshui</i> paintings—<i>poetic dwelling in seclusion</i>, <i>sublime shanshui &amp; charming Jiangnan</i>, <i>the warmth from friends</i>, <i>metaphors for politics &amp; society</i> and <i>life as a journey</i>—illustrate how ancient Chinese intellectuals contemplated the universe, life and history through tourism and <i>shanshui</i>. Tourism and <i>shanshui</i> nurture and perfect humanity, particularly in achieving spiritual freedom and self-cultivation. Practically, poetry and painting offer enduring inspiration for contemporary destination management. Both national festival planners and <i>shanshui</i> destination managers should revive more traditional festivals by integrating seasonal tourist activities that are imbued with a humanistic spirit.</p>

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Tao, shanshui and the Perfect Man: the historical tradition of tourist culture within Chinese shanshui paintings

  • 期刊论文

  • 出版模式：

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  • 发表日期：

    2026年4月28日

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  • Shien Zhong,
  • Limin Wu,
  • Hongsong Peng

摘要

This study situates ‘tourist’ and ‘tourism’ within the framework of traditional Chinese philosophy, its humanistic spirit and intrinsic values. By exploring the traditional tourist culture—the shanshui (山水) spirit—as reflected in ancient Chinese shanshui paintings, and analysing ancient Chinese texts on literature and painting, it concludes that tourism philosophically represents the praxis of Tao (道) by the Perfect Man (至人) in pursuit of Perfect Beauty (至美) and Perfect Happiness (至乐). Shanshui embodies the geography of the mind’s eye. The five identified themes within shanshui paintings—poetic dwelling in seclusion, sublime shanshui & charming Jiangnan, the warmth from friends, metaphors for politics & society and life as a journey—illustrate how ancient Chinese intellectuals contemplated the universe, life and history through tourism and shanshui. Tourism and shanshui nurture and perfect humanity, particularly in achieving spiritual freedom and self-cultivation. Practically, poetry and painting offer enduring inspiration for contemporary destination management. Both national festival planners and shanshui destination managers should revive more traditional festivals by integrating seasonal tourist activities that are imbued with a humanistic spirit.