It is impossible not to reach for superlatives when describing China. Global economic power, huge landmass, fascinating history, captivating culture. And a sense that its time has come again. Imperial China: The Definitive Visual History has stunning imagery and photography gracing its well-written and informative pages.

No mean feat to cover so elegantly the span from the clans and legends of prehistory, the governance strategies of the Tang (618-907) and Song (960-1279) dynasties, the evolution of Chinese characters and currency, the cultural significance of the Great Wall or the rise of Confucianism, to the fall of the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911).

First published in English in 2020, the exquisitely printed chunky book does just that with aplomb and is a visual treasure featuring images of historical figures, cultural relics, art and artifacts — portraits, paintings or photographs. Some of them are not previously seen outside of China.

A collaboration between the Encyclopedia of China Publishing House and DK US, it covers more than 5,000 years of history in seven thematic chapters over 400 pages, presenting pivotal events that shaped Chinese history and laid the foundations of the modern nation.

Back in 2017, the two publishers reached an agreement to coproduce a book on ancient Chinese history for a global readership.

The collaboration aims to trace the evolution of Chinese civilization through a global perspective — examining political, economic, cultural, artistic, and technological developments — to showcase its enduring historical legacy, says Liu Guohui, former head of the ECPH, in the preface of the Chinese edition.