望(wànɡ)天(tiān)门(mén)山(shān)

李(lǐ)白(bái)〔唐(tánɡ)代(dài)〕

天(tiān)门(mén)中(zhōnɡ)断(duàn)楚(chǔ)江(jiānɡ)开(kāi),

碧(bì)水(shuǐ)东(dōnɡ)流(liú)至(zhì)此(cǐ)回(huí)。

两(liǎnɡ)岸(àn)青(qīnɡ)山(shān)相(xiānɡ)对(duì)出(chū),

孤(ɡū)帆(fān)一(yì)片(piàn)日(rì)边(biān)来(lái)。

Explanation of Ancient Chinese Poetry

The Chu River is like a huge axe, splitting the Tianmen peaks. The emerald-green river flows here and then turns north.

The two banks with green mountains facing each other are equally beautiful. A small boat sails leisurely from the place where the sun sets in the west.

Annotations

中断 (Zhōng duàn)：The river cuts through the two mountains.

楚江 (Chǔ jiāng)：The Yangtze River. Because the middle reaches of the Yangtze River belonged to the Chu state in ancient times, it was called Chu Jiang.

开 (Kāi)：To split open, break apart.

至此 (Zhì cǐ)：Meaning the eastward-flowing river turns north here. One version says “straight north”.

回 (Huí)：To swirl, turn back. This refers to a change in direction due to the steep terrain, making the river flow more turbulent.

两岸青山 (Liǎng àn qīng shān)：Respectively referring to West Liang Mountain and East Liang Mountain.

出 (Chū)：To emerge, appear.

日边来 (Rì biān lái)：Refers to a lonely boat sailing from afar, where the sky meets the water, appearing as if it comes from the side of the sun.

Creation Background

“Looking at Mount Tianmen” was written by Li Bai in AD 725 (the thirteenth year of the Kaitian period of the Tang Dynasty) when he was first leaving Sichuan and sailing to the east of the Yangtze River via Dangtu (now belonging to Anhui), and came across Mount Tianmen. This poem was inspired by his first sight of the mountain.