在清代宫廷风俗画家徐扬的《姑苏繁华图》中，我们可以看到乾隆年间（1736-1759年）的苏州城景象。常言道：“读万卷书不如行万里路”，扩展视野、体验异地历史文化，是物质生活富足的香港人的向往，每逢有长假期，赤立角及罗湖等离境口岸总拥挤得水泄不通。

自七、八十年代经济起飞，旅游业在香港蓬勃发展，世界各地的旅行团、自驾游、生态旅游、学生游学团等推销广告，五花八门的，有时候令人看得眼花缭乱。很多人都以为旅游是属于当代的产业，然而，意想不到的是旅游活动早在明清时期已相当兴盛。

文化讲座“明清时期旅游活动的兴盛与旅游文化的建构”是巫仁恕博士最近写了十一万字的著作的浓缩本，他选了几个比较有趣的面向来跟莘莘学子分享研究心得。他说：“在现代旅游业诞生之前，旅游活动业在中国历史存在已久，明清时期已经有各式各样的 tourism 活动，其具有类似现代 tourism 产业中的 modernity 特征。”

明末抗清十大名将的人物图景

Title: 明末抗清十大名将：人物探索

Subtitle: 《姑苏繁华图》局部 - 清代宫廷风俗画家徐扬绘制

Introduction:

In the grand painting "Gusu Flourishing" by Qing dynasty court painter Xu Yang, we see the bustling cityscape of Suzhou during the Qianlong period (1736-1759). The phrase "reading a thousand books is not as good as traveling ten thousand miles" reflects the longing for cultural experiences and exploration among Hong Kong people with abundant material wealth. During long holidays, border crossings such as Chek Lap Kok and Lok Ma Chau are always crowded.

Since the late 1970s to early 1980s when Hong Kong's economy took off, tourism has flourished in the territory. Travel agencies, self-drive tours, ecological tours, student study trips offer a wide variety of travel packages that sometimes overwhelm us. Many believe that tourism is a modern industry; however, it's surprising to know that travel activities have been thriving since the Ming and Qing dynasties.

The condensed version of Professor Pat Wah's eleven-thousand-word book on "The Flourishing Tourism Activities and Construction of Tourism Culture in Ming and Qing Dynasties" presents some interesting aspects to share with students. He points out: "Before modern tourism emerged, travel activities had already existed for centuries in Chinese history; during Ming and Qing periods there were various forms of travel activities which shared similarities with contemporary tourism industries."

Main Content:

Ming-Qing Period Tourism Facilities Development

Tourist manuals & tourist guides

Package Tours (e.g., pilgrimage groups)

Accommodation services (temples & restaurants)

Transportation facilities (ships & sedan chairs)

Western Perception of Chinese Travel Infrastructure

Early admiration from Jesuit missionaries

Later criticism from British diplomats

Reconstruction of Scenic Views Through Text & Images

Jiangnan region represented through poetry & historical records

Royal visits enhancing local attractions' fame

Tourism Industry Evolution Since Modern Times

From traditional foot-based transportation to motorized vehicles.

Transformation from rural life to urbanization.

Changes in societal values affecting touristic preferences.

Conclusion: A Historical Perspective on Tourism

By analyzing these aspects, we can better understand how ancient China was an important destination for travelers despite its geographical limitations compared to Western countries at that time.

This article highlights not only historical facts but also connects them with our present-day perspective on tourism development worldwide while shedding light on how different cultures view each other's achievements throughout history.

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