Li Bai

Modern-day analog: Scenic foothill county of Mount Kuang, Sichuan (Li Bai youth retreat)

Mastering Swordsmanship and Daoist Mysticism by Age 15

At Kuang Mountain in Jiangyou, young Li Bai mastered classical philosophy and swordsmanship. In deep hermitages, he cultivated a unique fusion of Daoist freedom and chivalric heroism.

At twenty-four, carrying his long sword, Li Bai departed his Sichuan homeland down the roaring Yangtze Gorges to wander the wider empire.

“At fifteen I mastered the sword, seeking patrons far and wide; at thirty my prose was complete, mingling freely with ministers.”

十五好剑术，遍干诸侯；三十成文章，历抵卿相。(Shíwǔ hǎo jiànshù, biàn gàn zhūhóu; sānshí chéng wénzhāng, lì dǐ qīngxiàng.)

Modern-day analog: Yangtze River gorges departure nestled in misty mountain valleys, modern Chongqing

Leaving Homeland Forever with a Sword at His Waist

Departing Sichuan, Li Bai gazed at the autumn crescent over Mount Emei, composing: 'The crescent moon of Mount Emei shines in autumn; its reflection ripples down the Pingqiang River.'

Sailing downstream into Hubei, Li Bai arrived in Jiangxia, ascending the legendary Yellow Crane Tower overlooking the vast Yangtze.

“Half a circle of autumn moon over Mount Emei; its reflection glides in the Pingqiang River stream.”

峨眉山月半轮秋，影入平羌江水流。(Éméi shān yuè bàn lún qiū, yǐng rù Píngqiāng jiāngshuǐ liú.)

Modern-day analog: Historic twin-city crossing the middle Yangtze, modern Wuhan, Hubei

A Legendary Farewell at the Yellow Crane Tower

At Yellow Crane Tower, Li Bai bid farewell to poet Meng Haoran with the celebrated line: 'My old friend bids farewell at Yellow Crane Tower, sailing east to Yangzhou in misty March blossom.'

Moving to Anlu, Li Bai married the granddaughter of a former chancellor and settled for a decade, waiting for the imperial call to serve the state.

“A lone sail's distant shadow dissolves into the emerald sky; now only the Yangtze River flows into the horizon.”

孤帆远影碧空尽，唯见长江天际流。(Gūfān yuǎnyǐng bìkōng jìn, wéi jiàn Chángjiāng tiānjì liú.)

Modern-day analog: Baiyun Mountain haven and residence of Prime Minister Xu family, Hubei

Marrying into a Prime Minister's Family & Living in Green Mountains

In the green hills of Anlu, when asked why he lived secluded, Li Bai smiled: 'You ask why I dwell in green mountains; I smile in silence, my heart at ease. Peach blossoms float on running water—this is a world beyond mortals.'

In 742, Emperor Xuanzong summoned Li Bai to the court. Jubilant, Li Bai laughed: 'Looking up to the heavens with roaring laughter, I walk out the door—how could someone like me remain a nobody!'

“You ask why I dwell amidst the emerald mountains; I smile without answering, my heart naturally at peace.”

问余何意栖碧山，笑而不答心自闲。(Wèn yú hé yì qī bìshān, xiào ér bù dá xīn zì xián.)

Modern-day analog: Imperial capital of the Tang Empire, modern Xi'an, Shaanxi

Summoned by the Emperor: The Reign of the Wine Immortal

At Chang'an, senior statesman He Zhizhang hailed Li Bai as an 'Immortal Exiled from Heaven'. Serving Emperor Xuanzong in the Hanlin Academy, Li Bai produced transcendent verses while defying corrupt courtiers with fearless wit.

Refusing court flatteries, Li Bai was dismissed with imperial gold. Leaving Chang'an, he journeyed east to Luoyang, meeting young Du Fu and Gao Shi in history's greatest literary encounter.

“Heaven bestowed my talents, they must serve a grand design; a thousand gold coins scattered will all return in time.”

天生我材必有用，千金散尽还复来。(Tiānshēng wǒ cái bì yǒuyòng, qiānjīn sàn jìn hái fù lái.)

Modern-day analog: Eastern imperial metropolis where Li Bai and Du Fu first encountered each other, Henan

The Most Legendary Meeting in World Literature: Li Bai Meets Du Fu

Between Luoyang and the Liang-Song plains, Li Bai and Du Fu rode as sworn brothers—sharing autumn quilts in drunken sleep, walking side by side by day. Their brief, luminous meeting remains one of Chinese literature's great friendships.

Wandering through Xuancheng, Li Bai celebrated the poetic rivers of southern China. When the An Lushan Rebellion erupted, he joined Prince Yong's camp to repel rebels.

“How can I bend my brow and bow my back to serve the powerful and rich, robbing my heart of joy and radiant smile!”

安能摧眉折腰事权贵，使我不得开心颜！(Ān néng cuīméi zhéyāo shì quánguì, shǐ wǒ bùdé kāixīn yán!)

Modern-day analog: Poetic haven of Mount Jingting and Peach Blossom Pool, Anhui

Soulmate Mountain & Peach Blossom Pool Friendship

At Xuancheng, Li Bai wrote: 'We gaze at each other untired—only Mount Jingting and I.' At Peach Blossom Pool, his friend Wang Lun sang him off, inspiring China's most famous ode to friendship.

With Prince Yong defeated in dynastic conflict, Li Bai was imprisoned for treason and sentenced to exile in distant southwestern Yelang.

“Though the water of Peach Blossom Pool runs a thousand feet deep, it cannot compare to the depth of Wang Lun's love as he sees me off.”

桃花潭水深千尺，不及汪伦送我情。(Táohuātán shuǐ shēn qiān chǐ, bùjí Wāng Lún sòng wǒ qíng.)

Modern-day analog: Misty sacred peaks and Yangtze naval prison, modern Jiujiang, Jiangxi

Trapped in the Storm of War: Imprisoned at Age 56

Imprisoned at Xunyang, facing execution, Li Bai retained his towering spirit through loyal support from his wife Lady Zong and steadfast literary friends.

Exiled to remote Yelang, the elderly poet sailed up the Yangtze under military escort into the untamed southwestern wilderness.

“In the deep night I sigh four or five times, forever anxious for the great realm.”

中夜四五叹，常为大国忧。(Zhōngyè sìwǔ tàn, cháng wéi dàguó yōu.)

Modern-day analog: Ancient remote mountainous exile frontier of the southwest, Guizhou

Chained and Banished to the Southwestern Jungle

Enduring the grueling journey into exile, Li Bai witnessed a wartorn nation, yet maintained his indomitable spirit and poetic transcendence amidst humiliation.

Upon reaching Baidi City in Chongqing, a general amnesty arrived! Overjoyed, Li Bai turned his boat downstream, embarking on the most exhilarating boat ride in human history.

“The road to Yelang stretches ten thousand miles; journeying west ages a man.”

夜郎万里道，西上令人老。(Yèláng wànlǐ dào, xī shàng lìng rén lǎo.)

Modern-day analog: Majestic entrance to Qutang Gorge overlooking Yangtze Gorges, Fengjie, Chongqing

Pardoned! 'My Light Skiff Has Passed Ten Thousand Mountains!'

At Baidi City, Li Bai wrote his triumph of freedom: 'At dawn I left Baidi amidst colored clouds; a thousand miles to Jiangling covered in a single day. While monkeys gibber along both shores, my light boat has sailed past ten thousand mountains!'

In his final years, ailing and poor, Li Bai took refuge with his magistrate cousin Li Yangbing in Dangtu, Anhui, entrusting him with his life's poetry manuscripts.

“Amid the gibbons' ceaseless cries from both mountain shores, my light skiff has skimmed past ten thousand mountains.”

两岸猿声啼不住，轻舟已过万重山。(Liǎng'àn yuánshēng tí bù zhù, qīngzhōu yǐ guò wàn chóng shān.)

Modern-day analog: Historic Yangtze River cliff haven near modern Ma'anshan / Nanjing, Anhui

The Poet Who Loved the Moon: Leaping to Embrace the River Moon

In 762, Li Bai passed away at age 61, penning his dying swan song of the giant roc soaring across the cosmos. Legend holds he embraced the moon's reflection in the Yangtze and ascended to heaven on a golden whale.

“The giant Roc soared, shaking the eight horizons of heaven; struck down in mid-sky, its mighty strength ran dry—yet its residual wind will inspire ten thousand generations.”

大鹏飞兮振八裔，中天摧兮力不济。余风激兮万世者，游圣州兮各聊浪。(Dàpéng fēi xī zhèn bāyì, zhōngtiān cuī xī lì bù jì.)