In its renewed openness to the modern world, the Chinese government now lavishes resources on festivals, games, and even religious rituals; the domestic population is encouraged to spend freely on leisure activities such as travel. The sense of fun and good humour that usually accompanies festivals, games, and play is not a characteristic that is normally associated with the modern Chinese state, yet in premodern China, games and play were more robustly enjoyed. Written by leading academics associated wih the European Association of Chinese Studies, the ten papers in this volume look at the Chinese at play from anthropological, historical, and literary perspectives with the aim of rediscovering the playful side of Chinese culture and civilization, both modern and traditional. Play can be defined as a preparation for life or as an end in itself; support for both views can be found in this work, which offers unique insights into a forgotten aspect of Chinese life. From imperial festivities to gambling, from travel to nursery rhymes, the range of activities is vast and the number and kind of participants infinitely varied. As "The Chinese At Play" shows, new and old stereotypes of a repressed and humorless population must be discarded.

Anders Hansson holds a Ph.D. from Harvard University and currently lectures in the School of Asian Studies of the University of Edinburgh.

Bonnie S. McDougall is professor of Chinese at the University of Edinburgh.

Frances Weightman is a doctoral candidate at the University of Edinburgh.