Gaze and Molding: A Perspective into the Image of China in the Rihla of Ibn Battuta

doi:10.4236/oalib.1113319

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Open Access Library Journal 12 2025

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Gaze and Molding: A Perspective into the Image of China in the Rihla of Ibn Battuta

DOI: 10.4236/oalib.1113319, PP. 1-16

Kun Tang,Tingting Tian,Ya’nan Wu

Subject Areas: Literature

Keywords: The Rihla of Ibn Battuta, the Image of China, Gaze Theory

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Abstract

Centering on the description of China in the Travels of Ibn Battuta, this paper, guided by the theory of imagology, aims to observe and analyze the image of China shaped by the travels. Ibn Battuta shaped China in Yuan Dynasty as an open, friendly, diverse, and inclusive ancient oriental civilization, expressing his recognition and respect for the political economy, culture, and religion of the China Yuan Dynasty and reflecting the consistent understanding of the image of China in Yuan dynasty by western travelers and missionaries in China at that time. The image mainly derives from the writing subject - the collective memory and imagination of the Arab society and the author’s experience and cognition in China. The image of China constructed collectively by Arab society for a long time has realized its recognition of Chinese politics, economy, culture, and religion. At the same time, Ibn Battuta, who has a religious and political mission, has a keen power of observation, with his all-inclusive narrative techniques and positive experience of visiting Yuan Dynasty, prompting him to shape this distinctive image of China in his works.

Cite this paper

Tang, K. , Tian, T. and Wu, Y. (2025). Gaze and Molding: A Perspective into the Image of China in the Rihla of Ibn Battuta. Open Access Library Journal, 12, e3319. doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.4236/oalib.1113319.

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