"The Urban Life of the Ming Dynasty" explores daily life in major cities like Beijing and Nanjing during the Ming Dynasty in China. The study covers topics such as clothing, food, ceremonies, and commercial activities of urban residents. It also compares life in royal households to that of ordinary city dwellers. This period marked a significant departure from traditional Chinese customs, reflecting the modernization of the world and China. The book, now available in English, sheds light on how this transformation occurred in ancient China.