Classical Chinese Translation of Water Mirror Notes in Laiwu Valley

The author is Li Daoyuan's Notes on Shui Jing Wen Shui in the late Northern Wei Dynasty. Original text:

"Congji" said: Wenshui goes out of the southwest of the county and also into Laiwu Valley, with hundreds of miles of roads and rocky streams. Out of the grass, give it a break, and the forest fire looked at each other on the cliff. Or tilt the cen to block the path, or go back to the rock and break the valley, the breeze is ringing, and the mountains and rivers are ringing. Gao Ling was in deep trouble. He was afraid of chestnuts and embarked on a dangerous road, crossing the difficulty of suspension.

Within ten miles of the valley, there is another valley in the lonely mountain, and there is a clear spring in the valley. There are two caves in the spring that can accommodate pedestrians. These caves are more than nine feet high and four or five feet wide. It is said that people used to live in the mountains and their wages were still there. There are so many trees in the valley that few pedestrians can reach it. There are still a few mountain fields, and traces of irrigation still exist.

Cong Zheng Ji said: Wenshui originated in Laiwu County and flowed to the southwest; He also said that after flowing into Laiwu Valley, the mountains on both sides of the road stretch for more than 100 miles, and most of the waterways pass through Rocky Mountain Stream. In this area, there are lush grass, pine and cypress everywhere, and Lin Mang is dense with cliffs, facing each other from afar. In some places, steep peaks stand in the way.

In some places, the surrounding rocks are isolated from deep valleys, mountain winds blow, and branches circle the valleys. Climbing mountains and walking deep valleys is frightening, and sometimes it is more difficult to get off the cliff than to extradite by rope. There are more than ten miles from the valley, and there is another valley under a butte. There is a clear spring in the valley, and there are two caves dozens of feet above the spring for people to walk and enter more than ten feet.

The cave is about nine feet high and four or five feet wide. It is said to be the place where the ancients lived, and there are still traces of black smoke left by burning wood and cooking in the cave. The valley is densely wooded and inaccessible. But you can still see a little Shan Ye, leaving traces of water diversion irrigation.

Extended data:

Laiwu Valley is 20 kilometers long, with towering old trees on both sides and abrupt peaks. There are mountains, springs, ponds, waterfalls and caves in the canyon, which have maintained their original features so far. Jintai Mountain is magnificent and looks like Mount Tai. There are Gongbei Stone, Luohan Stone and Python Stone on the top of the mountain. Shiyunshan is 840 meters above sea level, and there are many strange stones on the mountain.

Tianmen Gorge is located at the northern foot of Shi Yun, about 5 Li long. The valleys in the canyon are staggered, including Lover Valley, Dragon and Phoenix Valley, Valley and Butterfly Valley, as well as Jiaozi Stone, Yuanbao Stone and Flower Pot Stone. Ranked first in Laiwu Scenic Area.