Peach Blossom Journey - Wang Wei
/桃源行 - 王维/
Venturing into a Hidden Springtime Realm
渔舟逐水爱山春，
A fisher’s boat glides along the waters, enchanted by the mountain’s spring.
两岸桃花夹古津。
On both shores, peach blossoms crowd an ancient crossing.
坐看红树不知远，
Seated, I gaze upon crimson trees, unaware of distance.
行尽青溪不见人。
I follow the clear creek to its end, but find no trace of humankind.
山口潜行始隈隩，
At the mountain’s mouth, I begin to tread hidden bends and hollows.
山开旷望旋平陆。
The range opens wide, revealing a sudden stretch of level land.
遥看一处攒云树，
In the distance, trees cluster as though gathering clouds.
近入千家散花竹。
Drawing near, I see a thousand homes amid blossoms and bamboo.
樵客早逢仙子语，
A woodcutter once encountered a fairy’s words at dawn.
人间相见是何年。
When might mortals meet again in this realm?
不疑灵境难闻见，
I never doubted such a hidden wonder was rare to behold.
尘心未尽思乡县。
Yet my earthly heart still yearns for a distant homeland.
Wang Wei’s “Peach Blossom Journey” invokes the legend of a hidden utopia, a theme famously introduced by Tao Yuanming in his prose work “Peach Blossom Spring.” In this poem, the speaker drifts along a mountain stream, enchanted by the blooming peach blossoms that line its banks. The discovery of a tranquil valley, filled with human habitations yet untouched by worldly strife, deepens the sense of wonder. Each step leads further into an elusive realm of serenity, where commonplace perceptions of distance and time give way to enchantment.
By weaving vivid imagery—crimson trees, sparkling waters, bamboo groves—Wang Wei paints a vision of a place both magical and deeply connected to nature’s rhythms. The reference to a woodcutter’s earlier meeting with a fairy alludes to the transcendence one might find in such a secluded haven. However, the closing lines reveal that the poet (or traveler) still harbors thoughts of home, reminding us that while mystical escapes can offer relief, our attachments to the familiar world linger.
Ultimately, the poem illustrates a tension between the desire to remain in a blissful state beyond ordinary existence and the pull of worldly ties. It is a testament to Wang Wei’s skill in blending natural imagery with philosophical musings: the voyage through a secluded paradise becomes an inward journey toward understanding impermanence, longing, and the delicate boundary between realms both real and imagined.
Key points
• Utopian visions can illuminate our longing for a simpler existence.
• Nature’s hidden wonders inspire reflection and spiritual calm.
• Even in enchanted realms, the pull of home remains strong.
