Shan Hai Jing has been handed down for 18 volumes, including 5 volumes of Shan Hai Jing and 3 volumes of Hai Jing 13. The age of each volume is unknown, of which 14 is the work of the Warring States period and 4 is the work of the early Western Han Dynasty.
The contents of Shan Hai Jing are mainly geographical knowledge in folklore, including mountains and rivers, Taoism, nationalities, products, medicines, sacrifices and witch doctors. Many famous ancient myths, legends and fables have been preserved, including Kuafu's daily reclamation, Jingwei's reclamation and Dayu's flood control.
Shan Hai Jing has a high literature value, which can be used for reference in the study of China's ancient history, geography, culture, Chinese and foreign transportation, folk customs and myths. Among them, mineral records are the earliest related documents in the world.