Encountering Mount Lu, Experiencing the Symphony of Nature and Culture

Mount Lu has inspired countless poems, as if this beautiful mountain is a magnificent painting co-created by nature and literati. From ancient times to the present, numerous poets have been attracted by its majestic peaks, cascading waterfalls, and misty clouds, leaving behind many well-known masterpieces. - Li Bai's 'Gazing at the Waterfall on Mount Lu': 'Sunlight on the Incense Burner produces purple smoke, from afar the waterfall hangs in front of the river. The torrent plunges three thousand feet straight down, as if the Milky Way fell from the Ninth Heaven.' - Li Bai's 'Gazing at the Five Old Peaks of Mount Lu': 'The Five Old Peaks of Mount Lu in the southeast, carved out of the blue sky like golden lotuses. The beautiful scenery of Jiujiang can be embraced, I shall nest among the cloud pines here.' - Su Shi's 'Inscription on the Western Forest Wall': 'Viewed horizontally it becomes a range, viewed sideways a peak, each aspect different from near or far, high or low. One cannot recognize the true face of Mount Lu, only because one is in the midst of this mountain.' - Bai Juyi's 'Peach Blossoms at Dalin Temple': 'In the human world, April's flowers have all faded, but in the mountain temple, peach blossoms are just beginning to bloom. I always regret that spring departs without a trace, little knowing it has come here.' - Zhu Yuanzhang's 'Poem of Mount Lu': 'The bamboo shadows of Mount Lu last for thousands of autumns, clouds lock the high peaks while water flows freely. The Yangtze River stretches like a jade belt, a bright moon rolls like a golden ball. The road to the northwest is three thousand realms away, its grandeur suppresses a million states in the southeast. The beautiful scenery cannot be fully appreciated in one visit, fate willing, I shall come again.' - Xie Lingyun's 'Climbing to the Summit of Mount Lu and Gazing at the Peaks': 'Traveling in the mountains without a fixed time, the farther I go, the harder it is to stop. I wish to linger from dawn to dusk, thus experiencing the full cycle. Suddenly, the gorges open up, and the flat path abruptly ends. The ridges and hills are intertwined, with no trace of paths. Day and night obscure the sun and moon, winter and summer share the frost and snow.' - Yuan Zhen's 'Alone at Night on Mount Lu': 'In the cold sky, the Five Old Peaks are covered in snow, the slanting moon shines on the clouds of Jiujiang. Where does the bell sound come from? It is heard among the dense trees.' - Tang Yanqian's 'Climbing Mount Lu': 'From the top of the Five Old Peaks, the horizon is before my eyes. The night rain floats over Xiangtan, the cold mist covers Bashu. The roots of Taihua stand together, the veins of Song and Heng are connected. Leaning into the void, I feel like an immortal, watching the sun and moon pass by.' - Jiang Wei's 'Waterfall': 'Facing south on Mount Lu, the waterfall has been famous since ancient times. It flows thousands of miles to the blue sea, emerging from the white clouds. Its cold sound travels far, who can divide its sacred stream? Except for Deng Tiantai, no other flow can compare.' - Sun Fang's 'Gazing at Mount Lu from the Lake': 'Stopping the boat at the southern lake, I return again, smiling and chanting towards the towering peaks. Heaven seems unwilling to let people see it all, always hiding half of it in clouds.' - Wang Anshi's 'Embroidered Valley': 'Returning home with a smile in the morning, I am happy to be the master of the famous mountain. By chance, I go to the Five Lakes with enthusiasm, inviting spring in the Embroidered Valley.' - Mao Zedong's 'Seven-Character Quatrain: Climbing Mount Lu': 'A mountain stands tall by the great river, climbing up its lush four hundred turns. With a cold eye, I look at the world, hot winds blow rain over the river and sky. Clouds cross nine streams, floating yellow cranes, waves rise in three Wu regions, creating white smoke. Where has Tao Yuanming gone? Can one farm in the Peach Blossom Spring?'