Jade Mirror Pool

Jade Mirror Pool

Peach Blossom Pool, also known as Jade Mirror Pool, is located between Wan Village and Zhai Village in Shuidong Town, on the banks of the Qingyi River, 40 kilometers southwest of Jing County. The pool lies beneath towering cliffs, with water several zhang deep that is crystal clear to the bottom. Surrounding the pool are rugged rocks, lush ancient trees, hanging vines, and the chirping of birds, along with a fine gravel white-sand beach along the eastern shore — a naturally breathtaking and exquisite scene. Legend has it that in the 14th year of the Tianbao era of the Tang Dynasty (755 AD), Wang Lun, a local notable from Jing County, invited Li Bai to visit Jing. In his letter, Wang playfully claimed that there were “ten li of peach blossoms” and “ten thousand homes of wine taverns” in the area. Li Bai gladly accepted the invitation. Wang Lun warmly hosted him, sharing fine wine brewed with the waters of Peach Blossom Pool and truthfully explaining that the “ten li of peach blossoms” referred to Peach Blossom Pool located ten li away, and that the “ten thousand homes of wine taverns” meant the tavern owner’s surname was Wan. Upon hearing this, Li Bai burst into laughter. Wang Lun entertained Li Bai for several days, accompanying him for feasts and sightseeing all day long. Li Bai composed two five-character poems in gratitude to his host, describing the scenery and commemorating the visit. When it came time to leave, those who saw him off sang and danced, beating time with their feet on the ground. Deeply moved by Wang Lun’s warm hospitality and love for talent, Li Bai spontaneously composed a poem: “Li Bai is about to sail in his boat, when suddenly he hears the sound of footsteps and songs on the shore. The water of Peach Blossom Pool is a thousand feet deep, yet not as deep as Wang Lun’s friendship for me.”

The poem is short but rich in heartfelt and genuine emotion, and is hailed as having “a melody unmatched through the ages.” Later generations built the “Ancient Shore Song-Stepping Pavilion,” the Zhaohai Tower, and the Wenchang Pavilion in memory of Li Bai near Peach Blossom Pool. The Wenchang Pavilion was constructed during the Qing Dynasty’s Qianlong reign. Its shape resembles Beijing’s Temple of Heaven, and it houses reliefs, stone inscriptions, and a large plaque inscribed with the words “Literary Brilliance Pierces the Stars,” which hangs prominently at the center of the pavilion. The inscriptions and plaque were both penned by Zhao Qingli, a Qing Dynasty Hanlin academician and calligrapher. These historic structures still stand by the pool to this day. After Wang Lun passed away, Li Bai personally inscribed the words “Here lies the Historian Wang Lun” on a stone tablet in his honor. Ouyang Xiu, a scholar from Xin’an in the Northern Song Dynasty, once wrote a poem recounting the deeds of these esteemed figures: “Li Bai loved streams and mountains, wandering grandly along the Jing River. He inscribed poetry on the walls of the Wang residence, whose fame shook Peach Blossom Isle. His brilliant verses have no equal, now three hundred autumns have passed.” “Wang Lun’s wine on the song-stepping shore, Li Bai’s farewell poem in the boat” — this poetic friendship between Li Bai and Wang Lun has become a timeless tale, and Peach Blossom Pool has gained fame throughout the world because of it.

Specific location: Wan Village, Shuidong Town, on the banks of the Qingyi River, 40 kilometers southwest of Jing County

Inquiry phone: 0563---5872589