Synopsis The book is an outcome of the author's study tour covering the monuments, ancient sites and museums in the People's Republic of China, under the Indo-China cultural Exchange Programme (1983 84). It vividly describes the archaeological relics and historical monuments of China in the provinces of Shanxi, Henan and Gansu, besides Beijing and its surroundings. Though emphasis is laid on the Buddhist monuments and relics, an authentic account of the pro and protohistoric relics and culture sequences documented in recent years through the archaeological field work within the People's Republic of China, is also given. For the first time, one gets a glimpse of the great Buddhist rock-cut caves of Northern and Central China through excellent photo-illustrations. Besides, an analytical correlative study of the Buddhist contacts between South-East India, China and Ceylon is attempted for the first time, bringing to light the potential overseas "Perfume Route" which supplemented the older and well known overland "Silk Road. The book is of lasting value for the students, as well as scholars, interested in the study of the archaeological wealth of China and aims at the growth of culture-contacts between the two most Ancient Civilizations of the East.