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, about 40 kilometers southwest of Jing County. The pool lies beneath towering cliffs, with water several zhang deep and crystal clear to the bottom. Surrounded by rugged rocks, lush ancient trees, trailing vines, and the chirping of birds, the area also features fine pebbles and a white sandy beach along the eastern shore, creating a naturally stunning and picturesque scene. Legend has it that in the 14th year of the Tianbao era of the Tang Dynasty (755 AD), Wang Lun, a prominent local figure from Jing County, invited Li Bai to visit Jing. In his letter, he playfully claimed that the area had “ten miles of peach blossoms” and “ten thousand homes of wine taverns.” Li Bai gladly accepted the invitation. Wang Lun warmly hosted him, sharing fine wine brewed with water from Peach Blossom Pool and revealing the truth behind the phrases: “ten miles of peach blossoms” referred to Peach Blossom Pool ten li away, and “ten thousand homes of wine taverns” meant the tavern owner’s surname was Wan. Li Bai burst into laughter upon hearing this. Wang Lun kept Li Bai as his guest for several days, accompanying him in feasting and sightseeing all day long. In gratitude, Li Bai composed two five-character poems, expressing thanks to his host and capturing the scenery and their journey. Upon departure, those seeing him off waved and sang, marking the rhythm by stomping on the ground. Touched by Wang Lun’s warm hospitality and respect for talent, Li Bai spontaneously wrote the poem: “I’m about to sail my boat and leave, when suddenly I hear footsteps and songs on the shore. However deep the Peach Blossom Pool may be, it’s not as deep as Wang Lun’s friendship for me.”

　　   The poem is short but profoundly heartfelt and sincere, hailed as having “a melody unmatched through the ages.” Later generations built the “Ancient Stomp Shore Pavilion,” the Zhaohai Tower, and the Wenchang Pavilion in honor of Li Bai near Peach Blossom Pool. The Wenchang Pavilion was constructed during the Qing Dynasty’s Qianlong reign. Its architecture resembles Beijing’s Temple of Heaven, and it houses relief sculptures, stone inscriptions, and a large plaque inscribed with the words “Literary Radiance Pierces the Stars,” which hangs prominently at the center of the pavilion. Both the inscriptions and the plaque were penned by Zhao Qingli, a Qing Dynasty scholar and calligrapher. These historic structures still stand by the pool to this day. After Wang Lun passed away, Li Bai personally inscribed the epitaph “Here lies Wang Lun, the historian” on a stone tablet in his memory. The Northern Song Dynasty scholar Wu Anding of Xin’an once wrote a poem describing the legacy 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 family, his voice resounding across Peach Blossom Isle. His brilliant verses have no equal, now three hundred autumns hence.” “Wang Lun’s wine on the stomp-shore bank, Li Bai’s farewell poem in the boat”—this poetic bond between Li Bai and Wang Lun has become a timeless tale, and Peach Blossom Pool has gained fame throughout the world because of it.

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

　　   Inquiry phone: 0563---5872589