ABSTRACT
Yangzhou offered many attractions to outsiders. Whereas medieval Europe confined its few books and manu scripts mostly to monasteries and the private collections of the wealthy, Yangzhou had book markets as early as the ninth century. The Chinese had invented paper, most likely as early as the first century A.D., improved papermaking techniques over the centuries, and were pioneering printing technologies by the eighth century. With Yangzhou's book markets and other cosmopolitan features, it is not surprising that Arab visitors were to write words of praise regarding the glories of this picturesque town.
