Years back, the mainland Chinese cultural historian Yu Qiuyu put aside his theoretical writings and, with warm concern for culture and an eye for the grand sweep of history, started writing cultural essays. The popularity of his collection Cultural Treks spread from the mainland to Taiwan, and from there it radiated out to overseas Chinese communities. It has tugged at the heart strings of many Chinese intellectuals.
數年前，大陸文化史學者余秋雨擱下理論著作，以宏觀的歷史視野、溫熱的文人感懷寫起歷史散文，一本《文化苦旅》從大陸紅到台灣，又從台灣輻射到海外華人世界，激盪了許多炎黃血脈的讀書人心弦。