Essentials of the History of Chinese Legal System includes Professor Wang Limin’s latest research outcomes on Chinese legal history, covering five topics—the legal system in the ancient times, the modern times, the contemporary times, the concessions, and Shanghai. The author discusses the traditional Chinese legal culture and makes a systemic investigation into the modernization of Chinese legal system, the research of Chinese legal history, and the compilation of China’s Civil Code. He also explores the relevance between the traditional Chinese legal culture and the today’s social reality. Furthermore, the author observes the legal practice in modern and contemporary China by reviewing the local legal history of Shanghai, the pioneer of China’s modern legal system. The book is worth reading for professionals in law, history, and sociology. It is also suitable for readers who want to deepen their understanding of the legal system and legal culture of ancient China, improve their awareness of rule of law, and make efforts to advance the rule of law in China.