本书是南京大学程爱民教授主编《中国概况》的英文版，由来自英语国家的译者译成英文。本书系在《中国概况三级指标教学大纲》基础上编写，内容包含了中国地理、历史、哲学、文学艺术、语言文字、经济、科技等诸多方面，适用于外国留学生”中国概况”公共课，对于外国留学生了解中国文化有一定帮助。

CHAPTER 1 Geography
I A Look at China from the World
1. China's Geographical Location
2. Administrative Divisions in China
3. Population and Ethnicity
II China's Natural Environment
1. China's Topography and Landforms
2. The Mountains in China
3. The Rivers in China
III Famous Chinese Cities
1. Beijing
2. Shanghai
3. Hong Kong
IV Tour in China
1. A Natural Journey
2. A Cultural Journey
Questions
CHAPTER 2 History
I Ancient Chinese History
1. The Yellow Emperor and the Formation of the Chinese Nation
2. Qin Shihuang and China's Unification
3. Han Wudi and the Silk Road
4. Tang Xuanzong and the Kaiyuan Age of Prosperity
5. Song Taizu and the Economic Prosperity
6. Yuan Shizu and the Territorial Expansion
7. Ming-Chengzu and Zheng He's Voyages to the "Western Oceans"
8. Qing Gaozong and the Prosperity of the Kangxi and Qianlong Periods
II Modern Chinese History
1. The Opium Wars
2. The Revolution of 1911
3.The Birth of the Communist Party of China
4. The War of Resistance Against Japan
5. The War of Liberation
III Contemporary Chinese History
1. The Founding of the People's Republic of China
2. The Diplomacy of the People's Republic of China
3. The Reform and Opening-up
4. Entering a New Era
Questions
CHAPTER 3 Philosophy
I Key Figures in Confucianism
1. Confucius (Kong Zi)
2. Mencius (Meng Zi)
II The Core Teachings of Confucianism
1. Rites (Li)
2. Benevolence (Ren) and Benevolent Rule (Renzheng)
3. Dao, Li and the Investigation of Things for the Extension of Knowledge
III Zhou Yi, Yin & Yang and the Five Elements
IV Daoism
1. Lao Zi
2. Zhuang Zi
V Other Schools of Thought
1. Legalism
2. Militarists
Questions
CHAPTER 4 Religion
I Native Beliefs and Religions in China
1. Folk Beliefs
2. Ancestral Worship
II Daoism
III Buddhism
1. Introduction of Buddhism into China
2. Buddhist Doctrines, Chan (Zen) Buddhism, and Buddhist Attractions
IV Other Non-native Religions
1. Islam
2. Christianity
V Current Situation of Religions in China
Questions
CHAPTER 5 Literature & Art
I Different Phases and Genres of Chinese Literature
1. Different Phases of Chinese Literature
2. The Genres of Chinese Literature
Ancient Chinese Literature
1. Pre-Qin Literature
2. Tang and Song Poetry
3. The Four Classical Novels
III Modern and contemporary Literature
1. The Modernization of the Chinese Literature
2. Modern and Contemporary Authors and Their Works
3. New Era Literature
IV Traditional Chinese Operas
1. Development and Evolution of the Operas
2. Main Forms of Operas and Famous Repertoires
3. Major Themes
4. Artistic Characteristics
V Chinese Music :
1. The Pentatonic Scale
2. Traditional Chinese Musical Concepts
3. Traditional Chinese Musical Instruments and Classic Works
4. Colorful Modern Music
Questions
CHAPTER 6 Language
I Languages in China
1. The Diversity of Languages and Characters in China
2. The Impact of the Chinese Characters on the World
II The Chinese Language
1. Putonghua and Dialects
2. Ancient Chinese and Modern Chinese
3. Idiomatic Phrases- Idioms, Proverbs, Common Sayings,
and Allegorical Sayings
4. Language Policy
III The Chinese Characters
1. The Interesting Origins of the Chinese Characters
2. The Development of the Chinese Characters
3. The Six Categories of the Chinese Characters
4.Traditional and Simplified Chinese
Questions
CHAPTER 7 Calligraphy & Painting
I Calligraphy
1.What is Calligraphy?
2. The Evolution of Chinese Calligraphy, Famous Calligraphers and
Their Masterpieces
3. The Creation of Calligraphy and Its Beau