Pu Songling – born in the currently district of Zichuan in Zibo city, in East China's Shandong province – was the author of the renowned collection of classical supernatural Chinese short stories, Strange Tales from a Chinese Studio or Liaozhai Zhiyi, which was written over a period of 40 years in the early Qing Dynasty (1644-1911).
In addition to Strange Tales from a Chinese Studio, Pu Songling left behind a vast body of work – including poetry, dramas, popular songs and writings on agriculture and medicine – totaling nearly 2 million words.
Even during his lifetime, Strange Tales from a Chinese Studio had already piqued the interest of those around him – when initially it was circulated in manuscripts that were copied and recopied among the author's friends in the early 1700s. But it was after the publication of this masterpiece in 1766 that it gained immense popularity and became widely known throughout the country.
In the subsequent years, numerous imitations and adaptations of Strange Tales from a Chinese Studio emerged, leading to a resurgence in the genre of supernatural and fantastic fiction.
Many of its chapters have been adapted into plays, movies and TV dramas, leaving a profound influence on popular culture. Moreover, Strange Tales from a Chinese Studio reached an international audience early on, establishing Pu Songling as a creative giant in his field who contributed to China and the world.
Continuing to entertain and inspire: An interior view of the Pu Songling Memorial Hall, located in Zibo. [Photo/WeChat ID: zibowenhualvyou]
An ideal tourist spot for flower admiring in spring in Zibo, Liaozhai City attracts hordes of visitors. [Photo/WeChat account: zibowenhualvyou]
