Abstract
The image of China in Russian literature has evolved over several centuries and reflects the complex dynamics of cultural, political, and philosophical contacts between Russia and China. This article examines the main stages of China’s representation in Russian literature, from the first travelogues and orientalist stereotypes of the 18th century to the complex artistic and philosophical interpretations of the 20th and 21st centuries. Particular attention is paid to the changing functions of China’s image: from an exotic “other” and a symbol of Eastern wisdom to a space for historical experience, ideological dialogue, and cultural comparison. The article draws on fiction, journalism, and travel writing, identifying consistent motifs, poetics, and semantic codes of China’s image in the Russian literary tradition.