Counting nearly 9 million words, The General History of Xizang was meticulously compiled and written over more than 10 years by a team of over 100 researchers and authors, culminating in its publication roughly a decade ago.
This monumental literary work, spanning multiple volumes, is considered the first complete, comprehensive and systematic exploration of the general history of Xizang in southwest China, both domestically and internationally.
The books cover various historical events, cultural developments, political shifts and societal changes that have influenced Xizang’s trajectory through the ages. Delving into its vibrant history, traditions, customs, religious practices and geopolitical intricacies, each volume offers readers a profound insight into the region’s past and its significance within the broader context of Chinese history and culture.
Yan Yongshan, Deputy Director of the Institute of History Studies at the China Tibetology Research Center (CTRC), described the work as “epoch-making.”
He told Beijing Review about his most striking observation: Though the books were first released in 2015, they managed to document Xizang’s history up to 2014.
Launched by CTRC in 2002, this ambitious undertaking
