This paper studied the tourism development in China,which is a macroscopic social and historical phenom enon,from the point
of view of tourism geography and historical geography.Around the central view of the change of the relationship between human being and geographical environment,the author,at first,divided the history of China's tourism developm ent into some particular periods,according to the difference of the dominant factors and their values and goals,which decided their tourism . Then, relevantly,advanced a new opinion of
evolutionary pattern of types of the
tourist area in China,this is: 1. the period of trade and knowledge—— the type of economic places and cities by travelling; 2 .the period of worship and achievement—— the type of historical sites and sacred lands by visiting; 3. the period of aestheticism and empathy—— the type of scenic spots and natural landscapes by sight- seeing; 4. the period of art and skill—— the type of Chinese gardens by enjoying and appreciating; 5 . the period of foreign countries- transplanting—— the type of health resorts and entertainment by recreating; 6 . the period of administration- leading—— the type of sanatoriums and parks by resting; 7.the period of market- pushing—— the type of holiday grounds and vacation lands by sporting; 8. the period of self- choosing—— the type of ecological and natural reserves and wilderness areas by exploring.