山行
Shān Xíng
Mountain Walk
杜牧 (Du Mu) · Tang Dynasty · 803–852
Original Text
远上寒山石径斜，
yuǎn shàng hán shān shí jìng xié,
白云生处有人家。
bái yún shēng chù yǒu rén jiā.
停车坐爱枫林晚，
tíng chē zuò ài fēng lín wǎn,
霜叶红于二月花。
shuāng yè hóng yú èr yuè huā.
English Translation
Far up the cold mountain, the stone path winds; where white clouds rise, there are homes. I stop my carriage, enchanted by the maple forest at dusk — frost-touched leaves are redder than the flowers of February.
Historical Background
Written during an autumn excursion, this poem captures Du Mu's journey up a mountain path. Du Mu, known as "Little Du" (小杜) to distinguish him from Du Fu ("Old Du"), was celebrated for his elegant and vivid quatrains. This poem has become the definitive Chinese poem about autumn scenery.
Literary Analysis
In just four lines, Du Mu creates a complete journey: the winding path, the distant homes in the clouds, the sudden stop, and the breathtaking revelation. The final line is the poem's stroke of genius — comparing autumn's red maple leaves favorably to spring's flowers, subverting the Chinese poetic tradition that usually mourns autumn and celebrates spring. The word "坐" (zuò, "because") rather than its homophone meaning "sit" shows the poet is compelled to stop, not choosing to rest.
Details
Form
Seven-character Quatrain (七言绝句)
Theme
Seasons & Time
About Du Mu (杜牧)
Du Mu, known as 'Little Du' to distinguish him from Du Fu, was a Late Tang poet famous for his elegant quatrains and lyrical reflections on history. His poetry combines sharp observation with a melancholic awareness of time's passage.
2 poems by Du Mu in our collection
Traditional Chinese
遠上寒山石徑斜，白雲生處有人家。停車坐愛楓林晚，霜葉紅於二月花。