To the Sea - Spiritual Writings by Renowned Authors

Author: Hong Hai / Country: Mainland China
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-07-01
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"Lushan is vast and lush, nestled in southern Hunan. The river is a green silk ribbon, the mountains like jade hairpins. Homes abound with emerald feathers, and fields grow sweet yellow dates. To visit this land is far superior to ascending to immortality; even phoenixes need no chariots to soar." This famous poem was written by the great Tang Dynasty literary figure Han Yu. With just eight concise lines, he vividly depicted the scenery along both banks of the Li River in Guilin, Guangxi. Especially the line "The river is a green silk ribbon, the mountains like jade hairpins" has become universally renowned. Indeed, the world-famous beauty of Guilin's landscapes is inseparable from the Li River.
The Li River is also known as the Guijiang or Haiyang River. Its source lies at Mount Haiyang, where Guangxi and Hunan meet. From its source, flowing northward into Hunan, it becomes the Xiang River; flowing southward into Guangxi, it becomes the Li River. The most scenic stretches of the Li River are between Guilin and Yangshuo. Thus, people say, "Guilin's landscapes are the best under heaven, and Yangshuo's landscapes are the best in Guilin."
Regarding Yangshuo's scenery, another Tang Dynasty poet, Shen Bin, wrote: "Tao Yuanming's five willows in Pengze, Pan Yu's flowers in Heyang. Which is better than Yangshuo? Homes nestled in the Green Lotus Peak." The Green Lotus Peak stands by the Li River, serving as a symbol of Yangshuo's landscapes. It resembles a blooming lotus, lush and vibrant, surrounded by many homes and shops forming a street. Halfway up the mountain lies the ruins of the famous Tang Dynasty "Jian Temple." Today, the "Jianshan Tower" stands there, offering a panoramic view of the surrounding beauty.
The Green Lotus Peak is a must-visit for travelers to Yangshuo, so everyone can directly experience its fragrance. In fact, the entire Yangshuo resembles a green lotus, with emerald peaks surrounding it like petals embracing the city.
Following the Li River downstream from the Green Lotus Peak, you soon reach Shutong Mountain. The side profile of this mountain is particularly striking, resembling a quiet and intelligent scholar sitting and reciting poetry. Some say its posture resembles someone bowing in readiness for a new task. Whether sitting or standing, it is undoubtedly a scholar, and its identity is widely recognized.
Across from Shutong Mountain, the two adjacent peaks are the famous "Tie Ling Shuang Shi" (Iron Ridge Twin Lions). They look very much like a male and female pair, sitting leisurely. Their forms are majestic but not fierce, appearing quite docile. The river here is crystal clear, revealing the natural rocks beneath. It can be imagined that during the early stages of Earth's development, in the so-called "mountain-building movement," the rock layers on both sides of this area rose while the middle sank, forming the peaks and riverbed we see today.
Local folklore speaks of the "Nine Dragons Racing" in this area, with remnants still visible today. I personally visited and observed winding, nine stone ridges on the riverbed, clearly resembling nine dragons racing across the water.
Further downstream, the river takes a sharp bend, with towering peaks on both banks. Another mountain blocks the path, forcing the water to flow through a narrow gorge. From a high vantage point, a white rock wall named Baibishan appears, followed by a red rock wall named Chibishan. Amidst the lush green mountains, these white and red cliffs create a breathtaking scene.
The section of Xingping is also renowned for its scenery, including attractions like Five-Finger Mountain and Huashan. Some say, "Yangshuo's landscapes are best in Xingping," which holds some truth.
Why are such beautiful landscapes concentrated along the Li River? This is because the area is part of China's famous karst region, where thousands of limestone peaks are nestled in clear, emerald waters. Mist lingers year-round, and the peaks reflect in the water. No matter how distant a mountain, as long as it is visible to the eye, its reflection will appear in the water. Sitting in a boat, quietly drifting in the center of the river, you can clearly see the pebbles and fish on the riverbed. At this moment, you may feel that even the reflections of distant mountains are as real as the peaks themselves, as if the water merges with the sky.
No wonder countless famous poets and scholars throughout China's history have considered traveling along the Li River one of life's greatest pleasures. Notable figures like Han Yu, Liu Zongyuan, Huang Tingjian, Mi Fu, and Fan Chengda all visited here. Since the Ming and Qing dynasties, even more scholars and travelers have come. For example, the Ming Dynasty's Xie Jin once lingered and recited poetry in Yangshuo, writing: "Yangshuo's riverside city stands on stone, with Tang inscriptions alone leaning against the cold flow. The temple of the 'Plain King' faces the river, bathed in the morning sun's glow." This gives us a glimpse of ancient Yangshuo's appearance.
Some texts mention that the mountains in Yangshuo were once shrouded in dense mists, but in reality, these mists can be dispelled. The poem by Ming Dynasty's Qian Yizhai proves this, stating: "Do not say the mist can create miasma; a single breeze can sweep it away." He also highly praised the cultural and intellectual development of the area, believing it rivals the beauty of the landscapes. Thus, he wrote: "The county retains the name Yangshuo from the Sui Dynasty, and the cliffs are called 'Reading Mountains' by the Tang. Ten households have wise men, which is enough for me to admire; a thousand peaks in green are beyond compare in painting." Clearly, the region's economy and culture were quite advanced.
Especially today, after liberation, we can see everywhere that the beauty of the Li River lies not only in its landscapes but also in the lovely people who live among them. Under the conditions of the people's commune system, the people here are increasingly enthusiastic about production and construction. They engage in agriculture, forestry, fishing, and various subsidiary industries, achieving abundant harvests year-round. The warm climate is particularly favorable for crop growth. Even in the coldest months, when visiting Guilin and Yangshuo, you can see the Li River's banks as vibrant as spring, with various activities continuing. Fishermen still move about in their boats, and the local bamboo rafts—made from four to five bamboo poles—carry agricultural, forestry, animal husbandry, and fishing products to support national construction.
In such a beautiful place, with such kind-hearted people, engaged in such great labor, people gain infinite confidence in a bright future and develop even deeper love for our motherland's magnificent landscapes.
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