Xiangling

Xiangling. Also known as Xiangtai or Wangmu Tai (Mother-Watching Terrace), it is said to be the tomb of Duke Xiang of Song, one of the Five Hegemons of the Spring and Autumn Period. Located at the northeast corner of the central island in Chenghu Lake, it was originally an earthen platform built by rammed earth, with the traces of the construction still clearly visible today. Xiangtai is either said to be the terrace where Duke Xiang of Song gazed toward his mother’s resting place, or believed to be his actual tomb. Farmers often find gold, pearls, and other precious artifacts in the area. On the mound grow several old elm trees, whose pods scatter in the autumn like scattered paper cuttings, hence the tree is called “Ao Yu” (Twisted Elm) for its autumn pods. Thorny trees also grow on the mound and the platform, bearing bright red fruits in clusters in late autumn. In addition, Tian Lanfang, a renowned scholar from Sui Prefecture in the early Qing Dynasty, wrote an essay titled “Record of the Camel Mound,” which contains descriptions of Xiangtai similar to the annotations in this poem, offering a glimpse of what Xiangling looked like two to three hundred years ago. The earthen mound of Xiangling stands tall by the waterside, surrounded by lush trees, fragrant grass, singing orioles, and fluttering swallows, remaining a scenic attraction to this day.