Wu Cheng’en Collected editions

Wu Cheng’en (c. 1500 – c. 1582) was a Ming dynasty Chinese novelist and poet traditionally credited as the author of Journey to the West, one of the Four Great Classical Novels of Chinese literature. This sprawling, fantastical tale follows the monk Xuanzang and his companions — including the mischievous Monkey King, Sun Wukong — on a pilgrimage to India to retrieve sacred Buddhist texts.

Blending folklore, mythology, allegory, and satire, Wu’s narrative reflects the spiritual ideals, social critiques, and boundless imagination of Ming-era China. The novel’s vivid episodes and memorable characters have become deeply embedded in Chinese culture and have inspired countless adaptations across Asia and the world.

Today, Wu Cheng’en is celebrated as a master storyteller whose epic has transcended its time, place, and genre to achieve enduring global appeal.