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HSK 4 Chinese reading practice

白蛇传

bái shé zhuàn

The Legend of the White Snake

A love story from West Lake about devotion, fear, and a white snake who chose a human life.

RECOMMENDEDHSK 4
READ9 min
HANZI167
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文化
CULTURE

A legend retold for centuries

The White Snake story has changed through opera, novels, film, and television. Modern versions often emphasize Bai Suzhen’s loyalty and the injustice of separating her from Xu Xian.

Key vocabulary8 words from this story
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阅读理解 · COMPREHENSION

Check your understanding

Answer three questions without looking at the English translation.

01许仙和白素贞在西湖边相遇时，许仙做了什么？
02法海为什么想把许仙和白素贞分开？
03多年以后，两人为什么能重新团聚？
0 / 3questions answered
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Folktale guide

Frequently Asked Questions

Questions about Baishezhuan and 白蛇传

What is Baishezhuan (白蛇传) in English?

Baishezhuan (白蛇传, Bái Shé Zhuàn) is The Legend of the White Snake. 白蛇 means “white snake,” while 传 means a story, legend, or biography.

What is The Legend of the White Snake about?

It is a Chinese legend about Bai Suzhen, a white snake who becomes a woman, falls in love with Xu Xian, and is separated from him by the monk Fahai. This retelling follows their meeting at West Lake, marriage, separation, and reunion.

How do you pronounce 白蛇传?

白蛇传 is pronounced Bái Shé Zhuàn. Bai Suzhen’s name is 白素贞 (Bái Sùzhēn), and Xu Xian’s name is 许仙 (Xǔ Xiān).