在明末山人風潮中，何白是一具代表性人物。他純係布衣出身，且個性溫文，行事有節，無一些山人放恣極端之行為。故從對何白的社交網絡和遊歷活動之探討，我們可較均衡的掌握明末山人輩出的成因，以及他們所扮演的角色和所從事的活動。何白的文藝天份極高，但因家境清寒，所以早棄舉業，以替世家子弟和地方官紳代筆和伴遊謀生。由於他從未參加科考，所以並無科舉同年的人際關係，全憑家鄉友人和來宦的官員之引介，再靠本身出色的詩才，打開跨省際的知名度，並建構了相應的社交網絡。在社交基礎之上，何白展開多次長程旅遊，非但廣汎的切磋詩藝，也開拓了全國性的視野和心境。明末開放的社會造就了何白這類的山人，而他們同時也帶動了更多元的社會。

He Bai 何白 was a typical shanren 山人 (mountain hermit) of the late Ming period, in that he was a commoner who had not obtained any degree in the Imperial Examinations, but was remarkably talented in poetry and art. He also had a moderate personality, refraining himself from extreme actions, unlike some shanren who were notorious for their outrageous behavior. Since he had no opportunity to form companionships studying for the Imperial Civil Examinations, He Bai developed his network of social connections among local eminent figures and officials, and then extended it to provincial and even national levels. In middle-age, He Bai's network of social connections enabled him to undertake several long-distance journeys which significantly widened his views of the world and made it possible for him to meet with poets in different areas of the Empire. Due to the economic prosperity, improved mobility and freedom of Neo-Confucian society during the late Ming period, the shanren flourished, and thanks to the participation of these energetic people, society became even more pluralistic and tolerant. From the case of He Bai, we learn about the colorful expeditions of a typical shanren and the role he played in that interesting society.