Week 3. My Wikipedia Edits - CUI ZAN

 1) Summary 

This week, I focused on improving a few Wikipedia pages related to Chinese geography and culture. I added references to explain the origin of Baishi Culture in Yantai and supported the explanation of how Yantai got its name with a proper citation. I also updated the population figures where they were outdated. Finally, I added references to the myths and legends section in the article on Penglai, especially the part about the Eight Immortals. These were all areas where I felt the information was either incomplete or unverified.

 link1 link2

2)Interesting points
When I was checking sources about Penglai, I realized how often it's mentioned in ancient texts as a sort of mythical land. Honestly, I used to just think of it as a tourist spot, but now I get why it holds such symbolic meaning in Chinese culture. The connection to immortality and Taoism was something I hadn’t really thought about before. As for Yantai, I never knew its name came from the smoke signal towers used to watch out for pirates. That detail made me see the place in a completely different light.

3）Question

One thing I keep wondering about is how to write about myth or folklore in a way that feels respectful but still fits Wikipedia’s neutral tone. Like, when talking about Penglai’s legendary side, it’s tricky not to make it sound like we’re promoting fiction,but at the same time, those stories are a huge part of its identity. I’m still figuring out where that balance is. If anyone has found a good way to handle this kind of content, I’d love to hear your thoughts.

Comments

  1. GUANYUEMarch 23, 2025 at 9:16 PM

    I’ve wondered about that too. For places like Penglai, the myths are a big part of the cultural identity, but we still need to keep it neutral. I think using phrases like “according to legend” or “in folklore” helps—it shows we’re talking about cultural beliefs, not stating facts. That way it feels respectful but still fits Wikipedia’s tone.

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