Nanxun shengdian 南巡盛典

Nanxun shengdian 南巡盛典, full title (Qinding) Nanxun shengdian (欽定)南巡盛典 "(Imperially Endorsed) Canon on imperial favours bestowed during the southern inspection tours", is a collection of documents on the southern inspection tours in 1751, 1757, 1762 and 1765 of the Qianlong emperor 乾隆 (r. 1735-1796) of the Qing dynasty 清 (1644-1911).

The compendium with a length of 120 juan was compiled under the supervision of Gao Jin 高晋 (1707-1778) and was finished and printed in 1771. The history of the compilation goes back to 1766, when Gao Jin suggested the compilation of such a text, an idea that was newly formulated two years later by Fuheng 傅恒 (1720-1770). Xiong Xuepeng (1697-1779), governor of Zhejiang, submitted a similar memorial to the throne, and Gao Pu began collecting the necessary documents and compiled an introduction explaining the principles of the book (fanli 凡例). 64 persons participated in the project to collect, revise and compose the necessary documents.

The compilation has two practical aims. The first was a propagandistic display of the emperor's inspection tours, and therefore the text includes many poems, laudations and lists of favours bestowed on local officials, the gentry, and the organizers of the tours. The second, less clearly visible, reason was to establish some rules for the organisation of such large enterprises as an inspection tour.

The chapters on hydraulic works, military exercises and 'scenic sites' are illustrated and enriched with a huge amount of maps and drawings. The book, printed in excellent quality, has not only historiographical value, but is also of artistical importance.