A Journey to Yuanshan Lake: A Day Trip to Yuanshan Lake

Yuanshan Lake is a very clean and natural place. Both its natural and artificial landscapes are excellent. The air is fresh, and its ecosystem and environment are very well-preserved. Here’s a travelogue of my day trip to Yuanshan Lake.

In mid-autumn, the sun is bright and the wind is clear. The forest is deep and the birds are chirping, the leaves are falling, the mountains and rivers are like paintings, and the forests are dyed in all shades. In this season of colorful autumn, people are cooped up in their cramped quarters, their hearts yearning for the flowing clouds, their minds wandering elsewhere, their days spent in the study of ancient texts. Life is short and good times are few, so one should go out to enjoy the beauty of the world and not waste this long holiday. I had not anticipated that the city would be deserted and the scenic spots would be teeming with people. I wanted to cross the flower creek but the road was jammed, I wanted to climb Qianling Mountain but it was filled with people. So, I let the reins loose and looked for peace and quiet. I happened to reach the shore of Yuanshan Lake, my heart filled with joy as I stepped on the autumn leaves. I looked out in all directions, the sky was high and the water was vast, the orioles were flying and the grass was growing, it was a truly beautiful and quiet place.

Yuanshan Lake lies hidden 30 li north of the city. The lake is shaped like a pipa (a musical instrument), and the mountain is meandering. The vast expanse of water reflects the sky, the reeds sway gently, the path winds its way along, the bamboos are lush and thick. It’s an incredibly quiet and secluded place, hidden away from the city. Oars and boats glide along the clear stream and cut through the waves. Vermillion birds and white egrets soar in the air and gather in flocks. Purple mist rises up, like a dream from Penglai. The scattered rays of the setting sun are like a stairway to heaven. The natural cliffs and the water merge into one pool of autumn water. The artificial decorations, the calm reflections of the islands, are beautiful and graceful. In the distance, the mountains are a dark green, like a screen. Looking down, the water is slightly rippling. The willow trees on the bank are bathed in the wind, waving like flags. The clear waves lap at the shore, and the sound of the flute and the zither harmonize. As I walk around the lake, I’m always refreshed and in high spirits.

Halfway around the lake, I met an old fisherman. He was an old man with a rosy face and a white beard, and he looked very carefree. He was sitting in the reeds, fishing for scenery, with a book in his hand, ignoring the bobber, enjoying himself, his eyes fixed on something. I approached him and saw that he had no fishing net, no bamboo basket, no fishing rod. I was puzzled and asked him what he was doing. The old man laughed and said, “In my twilight years, I don’t enjoy playing mahjong or chess, I find my own amusement. I don’t care how many fish I catch. All living beings are free to do as they please. The eagles soar in the sky, the fish swim in the shallows. In all things, one must be wary of greed, only then can one find peace. If I catch a fish and put it in my basket, I’ll regret it. If I release it, it will never bite my hook again. Therefore, I catch it and release it, and release it and catch it again. I do this over and over again, not seeking to catch fish, but to cultivate my mind, to accumulate small acts of kindness and achieve great virtue, to help all living beings, and to do what I can.

Hearing this, I couldn’t help but be touched by his kind heart, and I also had some thoughts and realizations.

In the past, I heard that Master Lu had a straight hook and fished, his mind not on the fish but on the wise ruler. Now I see this old man catching and releasing, his intentions not to kill but to do good. In this vast world, everything operates in an orderly manner. Sheep enter the tiger’s mouth, shrimp become bait for big fish. If one doesn’t take care of oneself, one will be punished by heaven. All living beings in the world can’t escape this fate. We toil and labor, all for the sake of food, profits go in and out, we’re all in a rush, people are imprisoned by wealth, fish are killed for food. This is the nature of things, what can we do? But when I see the fishermen at Yuanshan Lake, their thoughts and actions, they’re not seeking to catch fish or make a small profit. They simply have a kind heart, they’re not greedy, not possessive. They understand the ways of the world, they’re not vulgar or flattering. They go against the grain and live in isolation. Their bent hooks teach the fish a lesson. They are indeed reclusive sages and wise men.

I continued my walk, and I saw a stone wall on the left side of the path. On it was an inscription called “The Annals of Yuanshan Lake”. I read it carefully. The writing was abrupt and sudden, the paragraphs were broken and incomplete. The writing was not elegant, and the characters were vulgar. It felt clumsy, raw and contrived. The writing was neither “Annals” nor “Notice” nor “Statement”. If you remove the word “Annals”, it would be slightly more appropriate. And, the promotional language was filled with it. It’s not a record of geographical facts, but a plot to lure people into buying property. It stands out there, not only does it not highlight the beauty of the mountains and lakes, but it’s actually a blemish on the scenery. Only the other stone wall on the right side has three windowpanes carved into it, framing the mountains and rivers. As you walk by, the scenery changes. The view is both distant and close, still and dynamic, the light of the lake and the colors of the mountains are brilliant and colorful. It’s a masterpiece, reminiscent of the exquisite windows and openings of Suzhou gardens. It’s a highlight, the finishing touch to the scenery.

The path around the lake is only half complete. When it reaches the end, it leads to a real estate office. The neon lights are flashing, the buildings are grand and magnificent, the sand table is a grand sight, but there are few people inquiring. It’s said that the benevolent delight in mountains and the wise delight in water. This place has both mountains and water, a true haven for phoenixes and dragons. I can’t resist the temptation of the mountains and lakes, my heart longs to live by the water. However, my wallet is empty, I can only feast my eyes. Alas! In ancient times, famous mountains were occupied by many monks. Today, the beautiful waters are taken over by businessmen. In a place like this where the mountains embrace the water, the price must be high. If one day these luxurious homes are built, they’ll be surrounded by steel, concrete and glass. We should take advantage of this early stage, before it’s built up, and enjoy the beauty of nature.

I didn’t intend to do this, but I happened to see some fish. I saw a pier built on the shore, with a few small boats tied up. I wanted to take a boat and take a leisurely tour of the lake. Unfortunately, at that moment, dark clouds rolled in, and a mournful mountain rain was about to come. So, I abandoned that thought and waited for another day to find a good time to fulfill my unfulfilled wish.

I hurried back along the same path, no longer interested in enjoying the scenery. When I reached the place where I had left my car, a heavy downpour began. In an instant, the sky darkened, the wind roared and the waves surged. The mist and rain were everywhere, the mountains and lakes disappeared, the human traces were gone, the egrets vanished. At this moment, Yuanshan Lake had a completely different charm. Between heaven and earth, it was as if a curtain had been drawn, hazy and vague. In the midst of the wind and rain, the mountains and lakes could no longer be seen. But, my heart was filled with joy.

After my tour, I had a sudden thought: Yuanshan Lake, it’s about enjoying the beauty of Yuanshan Lake. How is it?