According to the classification of Liu Xin's seven views, Ban Gu classified Shan Hai Jing as a "formalist" with "short skills". In their view, this book is a "large-scale trend of Kyushu", seeking its "high and low quality", similar to the superstitious book that pays attention to "Feng Shui" in later generations. This classification is not accurate enough, so future generations will not take it.
There is a popular view that it is dedicated to grotesque fairy tales. Sima Qian said in Historical Records and Biography of Dawan. I dare not say the monsters in Shan Hai Jing. First of all, it points out the strange nature of his book. In the Ming Dynasty, Hu Yinglin further demonstrated that "Shan Hai Jing, the ancestor of ancient and modern strange words". Some modern scholars also claim that it records myths and legends. For example, the female pot in the wild west classic, the recovery of Kuafu in the wild north classic, and the Jingwei reclamation in the northern mountain classic. In addition, there are many mountain gods, sea gods, river gods, water gods, fire gods, wind gods, rain gods, drought gods and sun and moon gods.
Another influential point of view is that it is a book of witchcraft, a book of ceremonies and a book of local culture. Lu Xun said in "A Brief History of China's Novels": "The Classic of Mountains and Seas ... covers the books of ancient wizards". Witch is an ancient religious leader, communicating with people and gods, and all activities of praying for ghosts and gods are managed by him. The places, mountains and rivers and roads recorded in Shan Hai Jing are due to the need of offering sacrifices to gods. Among them, "Overseas Western Classics" also records: "Climbing Baoshan, witches are from top to bottom." "Wild West Classic" also records: "Lingshan. ..... Ten witches have risen and fallen since then ". As for the exotic and supernatural dwellings recorded in Hai Jing, it is a strange talk about advocating the skill of immortals during the Qin and Han Dynasties.