The aim of this work is to provide a systematic historical survey of Chinese translation activity. The scope ranges from primeval times to the early twentieth century. More specifically, the focus is on the political ideology and literary translations in three specific translational eras: Buddhist holy literature from Indian from the Eastern Han to the Tang and Song Dynasties; scientific and technical translation during the Ming Dynasty and finally some reflections on translational activity during the Qing Dynasty after the 19th-century Opium Wars. Moreover, key translation theories and approaches, acclaimed translators, intercultural translation between China and other countries and other issues are discussed as well.