Collected Illustrations of the Three Realms

original: 三才圖會 (Sancai Tuhui); a massive encyclopedia compiled during the Ming Dynasty (c. 1609) by Wang Qi and Wang Siyi, aiming to catalog all knowledge of the world.

Geography, Volume 12

original: 地理十二卷 (Dili Shiyi Juan)

Page Eleven

White Crane Peak

original: 白鶴峰 (Baihe Feng)

White Crane Peak is located to the east of Huizhou Prefecture a historic administrative center in what is now Guangdong Province. Here, the mountains meander and interweave in a complex array, while the river waters coil and swirl around their base. This is the site of the residence where the great poet Su Dongpo also known as Su Shi (1037–1101), a legendary statesman and literary figure lived during his period of exile in Huizhou.

On the grounds of this estate, one finds the Studio of No Evil Thoughts original: 思無邪齋 (Siwu Xie Zhai); the name is a quotation from the Analects of Confucius, referring to the purity of the Classic of Poetry and the Hall of Virtue as a Neighbor original: 德有鄰堂 (De Youlin Tang); referencing the Confucian teaching that "Virtue is not left to stand alone; he who practices it will have neighbors". To the left and right of these structures lie two pools: the Cinnabar Pool and the Ink Pool original: 朱墨二池 (Zhu Mo Er Chi); these pools were traditionally associated with the poet's literary activities, such as mixing ink or washing brushes.

In the center of the complex stands a shrine housing the statues of the Master [Su Dongpo], along with those of his son and his brother likely referring to Su Zhe, his famous brother, and Su Guo, the son who accompanied him into his southern exile. Outside the buildings, there are several ancient banyan trees original: 古榕 (gu rong); large, evergreen trees common in southern China, often associated with longevity and shade. Their lush, accumulated greenery gathers like clouds, creating a dense and heavy canopy of shade that is truly delightful.