The author attempts to bring to life Ancient China during the Han Dynasty in the eyes of the reader, through his study of the daily lives of the people who lived, worked, entertained, and socialized within the Chinese territory.

The reader becomes an observer of one of the most characteristic 24-hour periods in Ancient China and its then capital, Chang'an, through the eyes of 24 individuals from different specialties, social classes, and professions. A doctor, a grave robber, a soldier, a farmer, and a dancer are just a few examples.

The book visualizes both the society of the once-great Chinese empire and its structure during a period of prolonged economic and cultural prosperity, as well as the personal dramas and the struggle for survival faced by its inhabitants.

Author's biography: Dr. Yijie Zhuang completed his doctorate in archaeology at the University of Cambridge and is currently an associate professor of Chinese archaeology at University College London. His research work, as well as his entire body of articles, primarily focuses on ancient water resource management systems, as well as the agricultural histories of China and Southeast Asia.