Shen Kuo analyzed that the North China Plain used to be a seaside, but now it is more than 1000 miles away from the sea in the east, and it is formed by alluvial deposits such as the Yellow River, Hutuo River, Zhuoshuixi River and Sanggan River. This is the earliest scientific explanation of the origin of North China Plain (alluvial plain). According to the phenomenon that the steep peaks of Yandang Mountain are on the same plane, Shen Kuo concluded that Yandang Mountain was formed by water erosion.

Shen Kuo also recorded the fossils found in various places in detail, and inferred the changes of ancient climate according to the fossils, explained the atmospheric refraction of rainbows, scientifically described the causes, forms and destructive power of tornadoes, and demonstrated the shapes of the sun and the moon and the relationship between tides and the moon's profit and loss. Shen Kuo's research on physical geography was at the forefront of the world at that time in many aspects.

Shen Kuo's Map of Counties in the World was compiled in sequence, and the map was large and detailed, which was rare in the past. Twenty complete maps, including the national general map and regional map, with a ratio of one in 900,000. Shen Kuo also pioneered the use of "bird map" to draw maps instead of traditional footwork drawing.

2. Xu Xiake

Xu Xiake's Travels is a famous diary-style geographical work in China. Xu Xiake's travels have opened up a new direction for geography to observe and describe nature systematically. It is not only a geographical masterpiece that systematically investigates the landform and geology of the motherland, but also a tourism masterpiece that describes China's scenic resources, and it is also a literary masterpiece with beautiful words, which has far-reaching influence at home and abroad.

Xu Xiake has made a lot of contributions to geographical science. He has also investigated geothermal phenomena such as volcanoes and hot springs, and carefully described and investigated natural phenomena such as climate change and plant changes due to different terrain. In addition, he vividly described and recorded the situation of agriculture, handicrafts and transportation, the evolution of scenic spots and historical sites in various places and the customs and habits of ethnic minorities. ?

3. Guo Shoujing

Guo Shoujing once proposed to compare the differences between Dadu (now Beijing) and Bianliang (now Kaifeng, Henan) based on sea level, which was the foundation of an important geographical concept "elevation".

After the Xixia Water Conservancy Project, Guo Shoujing went upstream to explore the source of the Yellow River. Therefore, he became a pioneer who made a special trip to explore the source of the Yellow River for the purpose of scientific investigation itself.

4. Li Daoyuan

Li Daoyuan wrote the geography book Water Mirrors. Notes on Water Mirror is the first comprehensive and systematic geographical work in China before the 6th century. It has important reference value for studying the ancient history and geography of China. The 40-volume Notes on Water Classics was an unprecedented geographical masterpiece at that time. His works not only created the history of ancient "realistic geography", but also occupied an important position in the history of world geography development.

5. Jia Dan

He is a figure in the geographical map history of China. He inherited and developed the method of scientific drawing. The geographical description in books is an important basis for China to declare its territory and sea power. Take advantage of the convenience of receiving foreign envoys, ask foreign envoys about the mountains and rivers, geographical evolution, customs and customs of various countries, and then sort them out in different categories.

Jia Dan used Pei Xiu's Six Methods of Cartography to draw the axis of the Map of Longyou in Guanzhong and Kyushu in Shannan, which mainly showed the setting of mountains, rivers, bridges and military towns in some places adjacent to the border States such as Guanzhong. He explained it in detail with text notes, and then compiled a book, hence the names "Records of Jiuzhou in the South of Longyou Mountain in Guanzhong" and "Records of Tubo Yellow River".

Baidu Encyclopedia-Li Daoyuan

Baidu Encyclopedia-Shen Kuo

Baidu Encyclopedia-Xu Xiake

Baidu Encyclopedia-Guo Shoujing

Baidu Encyclopedia-Jia Dan