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Tu Fu (712–770) wrote this poem in 763 while attending the funeral of a fellow official in Langchung, 200 kilometers northeast of Chengtu on the Chialing River. This Taoist temple, on Jade Terrace Mountain north of town, was built by King T’eng, the son of Emperor Kao-tsu (r. 618–626), in 679, while the son was serving as prefect of Langchung. Hsiao Shih was a flute player of the sixth century B.C. who became an immortal on Huashan. The inscriptions ostensibly record the construction of Lingkuang Palace by Lu Kung, the son of Emperor Ching (r. 156–141 B.C.), in Confucius’s hometown. Taoist immortals reach the islands of the blessed on the backs of cranes. Wang Tzu-ch’iao, the son of King Ling (r. 571–545 B.C.), was often seen riding in this manner playing his flute.

Jade Terrace Temple

TU FU

The palatial steps were built by a king

the terrace resembles those of the past

colored clouds welcome Hsiao Shih

inscriptions record the words of Lu Kung

the shrine halls lead to the realm of the gods

the whole place recalls an immortal isle

people report hearing flutes and cranes

often passing the peak to the north