The famous "Eight Scenic Views of Yanjing" in Beijing, also known as the "Eight Views of Yanshan" or the "Eight Views of Yan Platform," originated during the Mingchang period of the Jin Dynasty. Subsequent generations of literati inscribed poems, and thus these views became renowned far and wide. The names of the eight scenic spots have changed throughout the dynasties. During the Jin Dynasty, they were referred to as: Autumn Winds over Taiye Lake, Spring Shadows on Qiong Island, Evening Glow on Jintai (Daoling), Rain Flying Over Jiumen, Snow Accumulated on Western Hills, Rainbow Falling Over Jade Spring, Moonrise at Lugou Bridge, and Emerald Layers at Juyong Pass. The lists of the Eight Scenic Views of Yanjing during the Yuan, Ming Dynasties, and the Qing Kangxi era were largely similar to these eight views. In the Ming Dynasty, they were also called the Eight Views of Yan Platform, Eight Views of the Capital, and Eight Views of Beijing. In the Qing Dynasty, they were referred to as the Eight Views of the Imperial Capital Region, and during the Kangxi period, some even called them the "Eight Views of Wanping." Li Dongyang of the Ming Dynasty added two more views beyond the original eight—"Autumn Winds in Nanyou" and "Timely Rains in Dongjiao"—and wrote ten poems about them, leading to the term "Ten Scenic Views of Yanjing." In the 16th year of the Qianlong reign of the Qing Dynasty (1751), Emperor Hongli officially designated the eight views as: Autumn Winds over Taiye Lake, Spring Shadows on Qiong Island, Evening Glow on Jintai, Smoky Trees at Jimen, Clear Snow on Western Hills, Bursting Fountain at Jade Spring, Moonrise at Lugou Bridge, and Emerald Layers at Juyong Pass. At the time, stone tablets with inscriptions and poems were erected for each view. The appearance of the Eight Scenic Views of Yanjing had a significant impact on the construction of later scenic spots. Since then, regardless of towns, small cities, gardens, or temples, all had their own versions of "Eight Scenic Views" poetry. Modern landscaping and courtyard greening also draw inspiration from the Eight Scenic Views of Yanjing, promoting the development of garden construction.
**Download (36.71 KB)**
February 28, 2009, 10:00 AM
1. **Autumn Winds over Taiye Lake**
Today, on the east bank of Zhongnanhai (formerly known as Taiye Pool) near the Wanshan Gate, there is a waterside pavilion named "Shuiyun Pavilion." A plaque marking the scenic spot stands within this pavilion. The *Illustrated Map of the Eight Scenic Views of Yanjing* describes it as follows: "...On clear days, the moon and sun shimmer on the ripples of the Taiye Lake, creating a clear and charming scene, hence the name 'Clear Waves on Taiye Lake.'" In one of Qianlong's poems, he writes, "As autumn breezes sweep through the rustic cottages, the emerald lake reflects under the painted bridge," hence the name "Autumn Winds over Taiye Lake."
**Download (53.06 KB)**
February 28, 2009, 10:00 AM
2. **Spring Shadows on Qiong Island**
The stone stele inscribed by Emperor Qianlong originally stood on the western slope of White Pagoda Hill in Beihai Park, near the Yueshen Gate. In the 51st year of Qianlong's reign (1786), it was moved to its current location on the eastern side of the White Pagoda.
**Download (67.14 KB)**
February 28, 2009, 10:00 AM
3. **Bursting Fountain at Jade Spring**
The Jade Spring Mountain lies west of the Wanshou Mountain. During the Jin Dynasty, Zhangzong built a spring water palace at the foot of the mountain. There are three stone caves on the Jade Spring Mountain: one on the southwest side of the mountain, where a deep and unfathomable spring flows; another on the southern side, where the spring gushes out with a sound like jade pendants clinking together, its color resembling white silk; and yet another at the base of the mountain, where a spring bursts forth, its taste sweet and refreshing, with the characters "Yù Quán" (Jade Spring) carved on the gate.
**Download (76.29 KB)**
February 28, 2009, 10:00 AM
4. **Clear Snow on Western Hills**
The Western Hills refer to the continuous mountain range west of Beijing, a branch of the Taihang Mountains. The snow scenery mentioned here generally refers to this area. Fragrant Hill (Xiangshan) is a typical peak in this region, so Emperor Qianlong placed the "Clear Snow on Western Hills" stele on the hillside of Xiangshan.
**Download (46.59 KB)**
February 28, 2009, 10:00 AM
5. **Smoky Trees at Jimen**
The "Smoky Trees at Jimen" stele stands beside the earthen city wall five miles outside Desheng Gate. Historically, this place once featured a scenic view of smoky trees.
**Download (34.96 KB)**
February 28, 2009, 10:00 AM
6. **Emerald Layers at Juyong Pass**
In ancient times, the scope of Juyong Pass included the entire Gu Valley. The lower end of the valley is called Xia Kou or Xia Kou, also known as Nan Kou. The valley twists upward through Juyong Pass and Shangguan, reaching the northern outlet—Badaling. The North Valley is a gap in the Yan Mountains north of Beijing, where mountains and lush forests create breathtaking scenery. The "Emerald Layers at Juyong Pass" stele stands on the Cui Mountain in the middle of this valley.
**Download (60.27 KB)**
February 28, 2009, 10:00 AM
7. **Evening Glow on Jintai**
Jintai refers to the Gold Terrace. Originally, it was a mound built in the third century BCE by King Zhao of Yan to attract talented scholars, with a thousand gold pieces placed atop it to hire renowned intellectuals. Today, there are about seven or eight places called Jintai. Emperor Qianlong once erected a stele on a hillock half a li east of the Miaojia Grounds outside Chaoyang Gate. In the *Outline of Old Capital Relics* published in 1935, photographs of the fallen stele could still be seen. Now, there are no traces left.
**Download (83.82 KB)**
February 28, 2009, 10:00 AM
8. **Moonrise at Lugou Bridge**
Lugou refers to the Yongding River, an ancient key transportation hub. In 1189, Emperor Shizong of the Jin Dynasty ordered the construction of a bridge, which was completed in 1192 (the third year of Mingchang) and named Guangli Bridge. The bridge spans like a rainbow, with eleven arches, four ornamental pillars, and 485 stone lions carved on the balustrades. The bridge is 266 meters long and 9 meters wide. In ancient times, travel was not very convenient, and the distance from the capital to this point was approximately half a day’s journey. Farewells were often made at the Lugou Bridge, where travelers would stay overnight before departing early the next morning. As the rooster crowed and the journey began, the bright moon still hung in the sky, casting silver light over the land, evoking the poetic line, "The moon on the Lugou Bridge is like frost." Thus, the poetic imagery of "Moonrise at Lugou Bridge" became widely celebrated.