Tracking a mountain of history

Poetic point

Traveling southward from Zhangjiajie to the Xiangxi Tujia and Miao autonomous prefecture reveals a tapestry of natural wonders. Among these, the Dehang Grand Canyon in Jishou, the region's capital, is particularly impressive.

Arriving at the canyon, I was still asleep in the car. Our guide mentioned an attraction called Tianwentai, or "Platform to Ask Questions to the Heavens". It is said to be the place where the great poet Qu Yuan composed his famous work, Tianwen, over 2,000 years ago.

I was instantly awakened and filled with excitement. Being a great admirer of Qu Yuan, I felt an immediate connection to this place.

Heavy rain had just ceased, leaving a white mist that draped the steep mountains. In the midst of this ethereal landscape, a white circular platform is nestled, embraced by the mountains. A winding stairway leads down to the platform.

The scene was so enchanting that it seemed like a realm fit for deities. In reality, it is a sacred site where the Miao ethnic people perform rituals to worship their deities on special occasions.

Later, I discovered that this might not be the exact location where Qu Yuan wrote his poem. However, the canyon's breathtaking beauty makes it easy to imagine it as a place where such magnificent poetry could have been inspired, and where Qu Yuan might have begun the romantic tradition of Chinese poetry.