Crane-Releasing Pavilion

Crane-Releasing Pavilion

The Crane-Releasing Pavilion is located atop Yunlong Mountain in Xuzhou, Jiangsu Province. It was built in 1078 by Zhang Tianji, a hermit from Pengcheng. Su Shi once wrote an essay titled "Record of the Crane-Releasing Pavilion," vividly depicting the moving scene of cranes being set free, which helped make both the pavilion and Yunlong Mountain famous throughout the land. Climbing the steps from the northern gate of Yunlong Mountain to the third terrace summit, one will see the semicircular gate of the courtyard, inscribed with five clerical script characters—“Former Site of Zhang the Hermit”—written in the 32nd year of the Guangxu era (1906 AD) by Tian Geng, the then-prefect of Xuzhou. Entering the courtyard, you’ll find a spacious, flat square garden paved with walkways, and on its eastern side stands the Crane-Releasing Pavilion. With its soaring upturned eaves and bright red pillars, the structure is grand, open, and well-lit. The pavilion measures 11.95 meters in length from north to south and 4.95 meters in depth from east to west, with a platform in front and corridors encircling it, creating a very elegant atmosphere.

To the west of the Crane-Releasing Pavilion lies the Crane-Drinking Spring, where the spring and the pavilion have stood side by side for over a thousand years. About 20 meters south of the Crane-Releasing Pavilion and more than 10 meters south of the Crane-Drinking Spring stands another small pavilion, the Crane-Inviting Pavilion, perched on a high elevation. It derives its name from the song about inviting cranes in Su Shi’s “Record of the Crane-Releasing Pavilion.” The Crane-Inviting Pavilion, built of brick and wood, is quaint and delicate, with upturned eaves that seem ready to take flight—it’s a great spot for enjoying the distant views. The Crane-Releasing Pavilion, the Crane-Drinking Spring, and the Crane-Inviting Pavilion are three closely related historic sites.