The Civilization of China

In Short

Herbert Allen Giles offers a concise, non-fiction survey of Chinese culture, spanning ancient feudal times through the early twentieth century. Written to bridge the gap between Western readers and an misunderstood society, the book details China’s physical geography, legal frameworks, religious traditions, literature, and social customs. Giles emphasizes that beneath distinct conventions, human nature remains consistent across East and West. By highlighting historic governance, philosophical disputes, family dynamics, and daily habits, the work remains an accessible, highly informative primer on Chinese life.

The Story

The narrative begins by defining China Proper, delimiting its vast landmass into eighteen core provinces and illustrating its massive regional variations in climate, fauna, and local habits. From this spatial orientation, the author steps back to the feudal age, describing early warfare, the use of chariots, primitive communication methods like dung-burning beacons, and severe wartime practices.

Transitioning from antiquity to organized governance, the text outlines the evolution of trade from barter and shell currency to uniform copper coins, knife money, and early paper notes. It traces standardized measures based on grains of millet alongside localized customs that ultimately govern daily weight and capacity. The overview examines civic life, pointing out the absence of formal municipal systems, police forces, or public works, balanced by a unique system of collective responsibility where local headmen, parents, and householders answer for the misdeeds of those under their charge.

The spiritual and moral framework of the nation follows. Giles contrasts the practical, earth-bound ethics of Confucius with mystical Taoist philosophies and the widespread appeal of Buddhism. He delves into folk traditions, spirit mediums, forbidden secret societies, and distinct female unions such as the Golden Orchid Society. Historical vignettes bring these cultural forces to life, including the tragic downfall of Emperor Ming Huang and his beloved concubine Yang Kuei-fei, illustrating how royal extravagance and political missteps echo through classic Chinese poetry.

Moving into civil affairs and everyday culture, the text covers legal rights, marriage, and judicial administration. It demystifies the examination system—a rigorous, remarkably uncorrupted path to public office that often pushed candidates to mental exhaustion—and details the literary arts, from historical novels to intricate poetic allusions and humorous slang. Daily pastimes come into focus: national vices like gambling and opium use sit alongside widespread devotions to theatrical plays, formal banquets, and unique social etiquette designed to preserve harmony and maintain face. The book concludes by analyzing the Manchu conquest, the role of Tartar garrisons, and the fundamental shared humanity linking Chinese life to the rest of the world.

How It Unfolds

Mapping the territory The account opens by distinguishing China Proper’s eighteen provinces from its greater empire, comparing its broad climatic range to that of Europe.

Establishing rule and record The narrative traces early trade mechanisms, the development of paper currency, standardized millet-grain measures, and a civil administration centered on collective social responsibility.

Navigating faith and morals Confucian moral order is contrasted with Taoist philosophy and popular spiritualism, demonstrating how ethical duties govern daily conduct while mystical sects operate in the background.

Illustrating royal tragedy The history shifts to imperial courts, detailing Emperor Ming Huang’s passion for literature and music, his eventual ruin through court corruption, and the tragic execution of Yang Kuei-fei.

Examining law and civil service Legal limits on corporal punishment are outlined alongside the grueling civil service examination system, where intense study offers the premier route to social advancement.

Exploring social life and daily habits The final focus rests on family organization, popular theatrical performances, gambling habits, formal banquets, and social conventions that allow individuals to navigate crowded community spaces smoothly.

The People

Confucius The foundational teacher known as the "uncrowned king." He refuses to speculate on death or the spirit world, consistently directing his followers toward present life, family duty, and practical moral obligations.

Chuang Tzu The leading Taoist philosopher whose witty, paradoxical writings challenge conventional norms. He advocates a view of life as a dream and death as an awakening, untethered by societal expectations.

Emperor Ming Huang An imperial ruler of the T'ang dynasty who starts his reign with strict economy and a patronage of the arts, but eventually collapses into extravagance, leading to rebellion and the execution of his favorite concubine.

Yang Kuei-fei The famous imperial concubine whose influence over Emperor Ming Huang leads to political favoritism for her family, culminating in a military revolt that forces her tragic death.

Sung Hung An ancient statesman who rises from poverty to become a high minister and marquis. When urged by the emperor to discard his humble wife for a princess, he heroically refuses to abandon the partner of his early days.

In Its Own Voice

"Fancy asking a Chinaman, who had spent a year or two in England, how he liked Europe!"

Giles uses this sharp comparison when pointing out the absurdity of treating China’s vast, varied climate and culture as a single uniform entity.

"Ability to make Chinamen laugh is a great asset; and a foreigner who carries this about with him will find it stand him in much better stead than a revolver."

This observation underscores the value of humor and good-natured adaptability over force when interacting with local communities.

"They look on life as a huge tumour from which death sets them free."

Confucius summarizes the radical Taoist perspective on mortality while explaining why mystic thinkers remain unbothered by worldly conventionalities.

What It's Really About

Beneath its historical and institutional survey, the book argues that Chinese civilization is fundamentally rational, orderly, and deeply humane. Giles works to dismantle Western preconceptions that view Chinese customs as incomprehensible or alien. By examining how law, Confucian morality, family loyalty, and local custom maintain social stability without heavy-handed municipal police, the text demonstrates that Chinese society functions on logical incentives. It addresses the tension between ancient traditions and modern transitions, asserting that despite superficial differences in etiquette or belief, the fundamental motivations—wealth, family, posterity, and peace—are identical across human societies.

Why Read It Today

This volume appeals to readers seeking an unpretentious, historical primer on Chinese social history written from a turn-of-the-century perspective. Giles writes with a light, fluid touch, offering lively anecdotes about everything from ancient coinage to theatrical troupes and clever conversational escapes using fans. The narrative moves swiftly, avoiding dry lists in favor of vivid social details.

Readers should note the period context: written in 1911, the text reflects early twentieth-century British perspectives and terminology. It occasionally uses outdated racial designations, such as referring to Chinese individuals with terms typical of the era, and evaluates social phenomena through an imperial-era lens. Furthermore, the book predates modern Pinyin transliteration, using older spelling systems for historical names and places. Despite these period artifacts, the work remains remarkably sympathetic, insightful, and clear. Its thoughtful defense of shared human nature across cultures makes it a compelling, historically rich read for anyone curious about the foundations of Chinese civilization.