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“Vacant cities they may be, yet history lingers close.”

• A sweeping historical novel that breathes new life into the forgotten realms of the past by award-winning author
• A work honored with distinctions such as the Yu Hua Literary Prize and the Wansongpu Literary Award for its captivating chapters

“For years, I’ve amassed books on history, geography, culture, religion, and ethnic life of the Western Regions. The people and events of millennia past have strung together a world that moves between past and present, calling out to me from afar, ” says Qiu, reflecting on his inspiration for the novel.

Through poetic language and vivid imagination, this novel revisits the fabled lands of Loulan, Dunhuang, Niya, Kucha, and beyond, recounting their lost legends. The book is divided into six sections: Dual Odes of Qiuci, Triptych of Gaochang, Quartet of Niya, Quintet of Loulan, Sextet of Yutian, and Septet of Dunhuang, each chapter weaving the tales of these ancient ruins.

Each story of the ancient cities stands alone while being interwoven with the others, extending into the present day where the protagonist finds themselves amidst the ruins, forming profound bonds with these places. Echoing the adage that “all history is contemporary history”, the brittle whispers of the past give way to the vibrant historical figures who reverberate with vigor and vitality during the prosperous ages of Han and Tang dynasties.

Author:

Qiu Huadong （邱华栋） was born in 1969 in Changji, Xinjiang. He graduated from the Chinese Department of Wuhan University with a Ph.D. in Literature and was once a research fellow. He currently serves as the Vice Chairman and Secretary of the Secretariat of the Chinese Writers Association. Qiu has published more than 60 books across various genres, including novels, film and architectural critiques, essays, travelogues, and poetry collections. Many of his works have been translated into Japanese, Korean, English, German, Italian, French, and Vietnamese.