My Eyes' Spring - Chessboard Mountain and Forest
My Eyes' Spring - Chessboard Mountain and Forest
Author: Xue Da Ming
After a long stay in the metropolis of Shenyang, I longed to return to the green and natural environment and seek the beauty of spring. The beauty of Qipanshan, already depicted by poets and painters, can only be truly appreciated by those who take the time to seek it out. On a late spring day, our whole family drove to Qipanshan, which is about 20 kilometers northeast of Shenyang, to experience this beauty.
At around 9 am, our car slowly entered the Qipanshan Scenic Area. The main entrance had the words 'Qipan Shen Yun' (Qipan's Charm) in large, gold letters. Entering the area felt like a scroll of spring colors was unfolding before us. The water in Xihu () was clear and expansive, with ripples of jade, embedded in the embrace of the surrounding mountains. The long shoreline, vast and shimmering waters, were surrounded by mountains, and the banks were adorned with strange peaks and rocks, steep cliffs and high mountains, a truly beautiful and tranquil sight. Upon reaching the foot of Qipanshan, the sky was clear and blue, and the green trees resembled emeralds inlaid on the mountains. The entire environment felt immersed in lush greenery. Dewdrops glistened on the leaves, and the towering mountains seemed to invite contemplation, while countless birds soared and fluttered, captivating the eye.
Unable to resist this captivating scene, we began our climb to the summit. Along the winding, rugged road, we paused to admire the views and continued on, capturing a series of breathtaking vistas. Up close, we saw a profusion of peach and pear blossoms, clusters and groups of flowers. Sunlight streamed through the gaps in the leaves, illuminating the shadows and highlighting the vibrant green grass, while the trees raised their branches towards the light, creating a sense of tranquility, freshness, and joy. Looking out, the mountains rose and fell, covered in green, interspersed with pavilions and tourist attractions. Artificial landscapes, flowers and trees, and fluffy clouds created a magnificent view. We continued our ascent, covered in sweat, and even our clothes were marked by thorns. Although it was more challenging than the Sichuan Mountains, it was worth the effort. I believe that only by experiencing the entire process can we truly appreciate the joy of reaching the summit.
When we finally reached the summit, breathless, we felt a slight chill and the clouds seemed to have shifted a little. Suddenly, we noticed a large stone chessboard, approximately 10 meters by 10 meters. It is said that this was left behind by immortals who played games here, and thus Qipanshan got its name. Today, the chessboard remains, and where have the immortals gone? We didn't bother to search for them, but instead explored and discovered. Looking out, the world stretched endlessly, opening our minds and hearts. This place is a mountain? It's like a sea, like a painting, like poetry and art blending with spring. Standing on the summit, gazing into the distance, we saw Qipanshan, Huishan, Daxiangshan, and Xihu—'Three Mountains and One Lake'—embracing each other. We also saw Bianling, Bingang, and Pingyi, as well as the lush forests and shimmering lakes, all within our sight. Below us was the Qipanshan Reservoir, which resembled a mirror reflecting the surrounding greenery. In the distance was Huishan Mountain, one of Shenyang's ‘Eight Scenery’—'Huishan Snow’—a gray and white rock formation that has been famous for centuries. In the colorful sunlight, the shapes and colors were captivating, leaving us lost in admiration. In my heart, a poetic impulse arose, and I softly recited the lines of contemporary poet Wang Guozhen: ‘There is no mountain higher than a person, no road longer than one’s legs.’
‘Dad, you’re like a poet.’ The little girl looked at me with a sweet smile in her eyes.
I said, ‘Poetry expresses ideas. Life’s journey is like climbing a mountain—overcoming difficulties and reaching the peak allows us to appreciate the beauty of nature.’
The little girl seemed to understand my poetic words. ‘Yes, Dad is right.’ I smiled, the little girl smiled, and everyone smiled. Laughter filled the mountaintop.
Standing amidst the spring green mountains and clear waters, we enjoyed the fresh air and admired the beautiful lake and mountain scenery. Our thoughts wandered through the forests and lakes. It was a moment of enjoyment and artistic cultivation. We were overwhelmed with emotion, and this lush, colorful forest invited us to savor its beauty.
At this time, a gust of cold air swept towards us, like a smoke column, and the leaves on the trees rustled gently in the breeze, swaying like a green cloud. I looked left and right, up and down, and what I saw was an endless expanse of scenery, which was refreshing and exhilarating. I picked up a handful of soil and picked a mountain flower, carrying this magnificent scene along with it, and treasured it in my heart.
At 3 pm, when we descended, we were amazed by the forest scenery. The forest embraced us with its vastness, listening to the rustling of the forest, the singing of countless birds, and the joyful shouts of people. People and nature were interacting, and nature and people were coexisting. Qipanshan inspires imagination and enchantment.
Some say it's better to listen to the scenery than to describe it, but I believe that no matter how flowery the descriptions are, it's better to go and see, admire, and experience, to discover and appreciate. Beauty is objective, and it’s up to us to discover and seek it out. And sometimes, beauty is only revealed when you have a specific time, place, and conditions, with appreciative people and a receptive mindset.
The spring Qipanshan, with its shy and restrained beauty, is especially captivating.
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