Book excerpt: The book is the first to define the meaning and components of the grid and apply it in Chinese planning history. It provides a fresh methodology, pushing the boundary of planning by this new practical tool for planners and governors and new perspective for the architecture and city planning faculties. From graphs to rules, from facts to in-depth analysis, this book focuses on the tool of urban planning, the grid, with thoughtful organization of knowledge from Chinese history, architecture and city planning discipline, providing knowledge along with politics, military, customs, mysterious Fengshui theories and astrology beliefs. Moreover, the book proved the link between grids and social aims, discussing each kind of aim by thoughtful organization of data collected from 301 prefecture cities, unfolding the powers propelling the city formation and shedding light on what shaped our cities today.