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FAQ
. Why not just ask Wu Kong to pick the scripture?
Buddha wanted ordinary mortal (in this case Tang priest) to pick it up, so He will not give it to Wu Kong.
. Why not just fly?
Mortals are much heavier than mountain (Mt Tai, said in the book, ch 22). Even Wu Kong can’t carry him all the way to the West. The task of the disciples is to protect Tang priest and made sure he arrived safely to pick up and came back to Tang Kingdom with the scripture
. How far was it?
Wu Kong could go there many 50x a day and still came back before sun set (ch 24). While the other two would take 10 days. Their trip to escort Tang priest took more than 14 years (ch 99).
..... Journey to the West ..... 西游记 ..... daytodayinchina.com
. Can we buy the book in english? YES
Films
There are many film versions about this story. All have their own uniqueness.
Watch it online for FREE! Just type in the keywords 西游记, 美猴王 in a search engine like baidu.com.
Some that I know:
1988 西游记：Many said the most original and closed to the book. Considering it's made before the era of computer simulations , I think the movie is pretty superb.
2009 新西游记: the acting is excellent, the fighting is superb, everything is done nicely, other than that... the rest depends on viewers' taste. Based on the book with some modifications, of course. Some of the monster that's supposed to be male became female, etc.
2012 新西游记: the acting is excellent, the fighting is superb. Of course there are modifications but many main ideas follow closely with the books. The role of Tang priest is also a bit more emphasize. One needs to remember that the real person couldn't be that timid considering that major task he was brave enough to take, that's illustrated rather well too.
Cartoon for kids
?孙悟空? - 1964, this is classic. The animation is superb considering it's made before the computer simulation era. The story is really close to the book too. The characters are all fun.
西游记 - cartoon version
(Feb 2010): 美猴王 by CCTV. The story is loosely based on the first chapters of the book. It's a great and entertaining series to watch for kids and adults. The kung fu (martial art) is superb, excellent animation and dialogues. The songs are great too.
(1998): 西游记. Although the main ideas are taken from the books, there are of course some modifications considering the audience is kids. Although it's made in '98 the animation is pretty good and the film is fun to watch. The song “白龙马”is really suitable also “猴哥猴哥”
..... Journey to the West ..... 西游记 ..... daytodayinchina.com .....
Books
Excellent "comic" book with great pictures and beautiful illustration. Good for adult readers. Has most of the stories from the original un-cut book.
If you had the time, highly advised to read the un-cut version. The dialogues, poems, etc are really wonderful and timeless. The funny conversations are really funny, one can't stop laughing about. The sad part would shed one to tears, the beautiful part would make one in awe, one could really not put this book down once reading it. The fighting was really well illustrated sometimes with poems. Also the jealousy of Ba Jie vs Wu Kong as who's more important to the Master is really entertaining and very fresh and timeless. Read how heavenly folks kept asking to Wu Kong whenever they met him if he already got the scripture. Really hilarious. A very much well written master piece.
..... Journey to the West ..... 西游记 ..... daytodayinchina.com .....
Souvenir
Painting in Silk
Bookmark
..... Journey to the West ..... 西游记 ..... daytodayinchina.com .....
Toy and Games
Kids toy replica of jingubang. One just can't escape to see this in China. All expats in China will sooner or later find it. It costs about 2 yuan (2011). They have many versions including one that can be extended/shortened. Really fun.
..... Journey to the West ..... 西游记 ..... daytodayinchina.com .....
Kid's song: 白龙马 for the white horse :)
Plenty! You can check in baidu yourself. For example: here.