Dream Pen Blooms into a Flower

Dream Pen Blooms into a Flower

Introduction: Also known as "Pen Peak," Dream Pen Blooms into a Flower is located in the northern part of Huangshan Mountain, within Sanhua Valley on the right side of Beihai Hotel. It is close to Brush Rack Peak and is one of the scenic highlights of Huangshan. Amidst a sea of pine trees, a rock juts out, standing upright from the ground — round at the base and pointed at the top — resembling an artist’s calligraphy brush. At the tip of the peak, growing in a crevice of the rock, is an ancient, uniquely-shaped pine tree that twists and turns, its green foliage forming a cluster, like a blooming flower. Below the peak lies a cleverly shaped rock resembling a person lying asleep, which is why visitors call this sight "Dream Pen Blooms into a Flower." It is considered one of the scenic wonders of Huangshan. The Qing Dynasty poet Xiang Fu once wrote a poem in praise of it: “The jagged stone exudes a unique aura, / The coiling pines weave emerald brocade clouds. / Nature’s own flowering brush, / Painting all the peaks into the landscape.”

The legend of "Dream Pen Blooms into a Flower" is, in every version, connected to Li Bai. According to *The Anecdotes of the Kaiyuan and Tianbao Eras*, Li Bai once dreamed of a massive brush standing upright amidst a sea of pine trees in a deep mountain, piercing the sky, with a blooming flower at its tip. Later, when Li Bai toured famous mountains and arrived at this spot, he was struck by the sight of Brush Peak and exclaimed in amazement, “So the pen and flower from my dream are truly here!” Another tale says that during the day, Li Bai visited Beihai and met with the elder of the Lion Grove Temple. The two engaged in a cheerful and open conversation. After drinking, Li Bai, to express his gratitude, left behind a piece of calligraphy. Once finished, he tossed the brush away and departed leisurely. The brush then transformed on the spot into a wondrous peak, with the tip turning into a tree, thus creating the scene of "Dream Pen Blooms into a Flower."

Anhui, Huangshan City