Current studies on Chinese history and literature during the Anti-Japanese War has two basic features. First, it follows the geographical framework formed by the war and politics, and positions the research object in either of the three regions, that is the base area, the Guomindang-controlled hinterland and the occupied region. Second, many scholars argue that the literature and culture of modern China change a lot during this period, such as politicalization. The six papers in this panel do not intend to challenge the research paradigm and assertions mentioned above. In fact, these studies, except for two papers on travel writing, all discuss their issues within a certain geographical framework. However, we believe that the interior of each region is not homogeneous, and, on the local level, each region has its unique reality and tradition. Further research needs to present what is hidden by the generalized traditional narrative. Due to its border-crossing feature, travel writing draws issues from regional to macroscopic national and even international perspective. Meanwhile, the discussion on the change of literature, culture and history during wartime is expected to show more on the mechanism that caused them. In this sense, various traditions of modern China prior to the war shaped the way of people's choice and action in the Anti-Japanese War.