Chinese audio tour brings British literary giant to life

Liu Xiaoming, China's ambassador to Britain speaks at the opening. Provided to China Daily

A Chinese-language audio tour has been launched at Dr Johnson's House in London, offering a better service to Chinese tourists interested in British literature and history.

Recognized as a hidden gem at 17 Gough Square in the historic City of London, Samuel Johnson's former home is a four-story building, cozy and exquisite with classic decoration. It is the place where Johnson, an 18th-century British writer, wit and lexicographer, finished his masterpiece, A Dictionary of the English Language, more than 200 years ago. The dictionary, which took him eight years to compile, had great influence in the English speaking world for more than a century and a half.

Dr Johnson's House opened to the public in the early 20th century and exhibits a collection relating to Dr Johnson, illustrating stories of his life and work.

Lord Harmsworth, chairman of the Dr Johnson's House Trust, said the launch was also inspired by a visit by Professor Cheng Hong, wife of Chinese Premier Li Keqiang, while accompanying her husband on a trip to the UK last year.

Liu Xiaoming, China's ambassador to Britain and his wife, Hu Pinghua, were invited to attend the launch where he delivered a speech as a way of congratulation and welcome to ceremony. He congratulated Lord Harmsworth and his family for their inspired initiative of preserving Dr Johnson's House since 1911.

The ambassador said Cheng had followed the progress of the Chinese audio tour project and conveyed her congratulations its official launch.

"The launch of the Chinese-language audio tour shows that the Dr Johnson's House Trust values Chinese visitors,"he said. The tour will help Chinese tourists to "get over the language barrier"and allow them to appreciate this heritage "more directly, vividly and comprehensively”.

He also said the launch would further enable both Chinese and British to share each other's culture.

"It will add one more brick to the edifice of China-UK friendship. It is a highly acclaimed achievement in China-UK cultural exchange,"he said.