THE MONKEY KING – JOURNEY TO THE WEST

Journey to the West, one of the Four Great Classical Novels of Chinese literature and popularly known as The Monkey King, is the fantastical account of the seventeen-year journey undertaken by the Buddhist monk Xuanzang to bring the foundational Buddhist scriptures from India to China.

Written in the sixteenth century by the poet, writer, and statesman Wu Cheng’en, the work has left a profound mark on Chinese culture through its fantastical narrative and its engagement with Taoist and Buddhist philosophy.

Its central character, the Monkey King, is a monkey born from a magical stone. Having mastered the magic of the seventy-two transformations and eventually attained immortality, he is both intelligent and courageous. His mission in the story is to protect the monk on his journey together with his two companions.

The work has been translated into numerous languages and adapted countless times. It continues to inspire films, television series, video games, and many other forms of art.

Are you ready for the adventure?