徐霞客
After a youth of austere poverty, Fàn Chéngdà was able to pass the Imperial Examination and secure the jinshi degree in 1154 AD. Afterwards, he entered a long career in service of the state. During his career he wrote an important geographical treatise known as the "Guì Hǎi Yú Héng Zhì". The book focused primarily on the topography of the land and commercial products of China's southern provinces. In this Fàn followed a long geographical literary tradition, continuing from the "Shu Jing" ("Historical Classic") of the 5th century BC, the "Huainan Zi" of the 2nd century BC, and predating the famous written works by the Ming Dynasty geographer Xu Xiake.