Meier Mountain in Yanjin County, Zhaotong
Chinese Name: 盐津县妹儿山
English Name: Meier Mountain in Yanjin County, Zhaotong
“妹儿” (Meier) is a dialect term with multiple meanings. It generally refers to a young girl or maiden and can be used as a term of endearment or affectionate nickname for a younger female. In certain contexts, it can carry a slightly flirtatious connotation.
Location and Features:
Meier Mountain is located in Luoyan Township, over 50 kilometers east of Yanjin County. The mountain stretches in a long, irregular shape, with valleys and peaks arranged in a concentric pattern. In the central part where the valleys converge, the gentle undulations of the Fengshan mountain range give rise to elegant and picturesque peaks.
- Luoyan Mountain: Majestic and elegant, with dense bamboo forests.
- Luoke Mountain: Features layered cliffs that are both beautiful and dramatic, covered in lush greenery.
- Yongfeng Ridge: Known for its sharp and high peaks, reaching into the clouds.
- Hanpo Ridge: Imposing and grand, overlooking the surrounding mountains.
- Meier Mountain: Graceful in shape, standing tall against the wind with a charming and youthful appearance, it resembles a refined young maiden in the spring, gracefully wandering amidst the blue skies and rugged mountains. It shines with a gentle brilliance.
Surrounding Areas:
Meier Mountain is accompanied by various intriguing locations, including:
- Dalongtan: A significant water body.
- Qincao Slope: Named after its landscape.
- Hanpo Ridge: Known for its specific terrain.
- Zhugen Slope: A place with unique features.
- Langzigou: A scenic valley.
- Xiannü Pond: Named after its ethereal beauty.
These places either derive their names from their shapes or have poetic or fanciful associations, adding to the mountain’s allure and enhancing its natural beauty.
Historical and Cultural Significance:
Meier Mountain also has a connection to a notable figure, Li Mingzhang, a distinguished and talented youth with a refined disposition. Known in literature as Li Huan-tu, he was a scholar who passed the imperial examination in 1909 and excelled in poetry, literature, and art.
Before achieving fame, Li Mingzhang spent years studying diligently, enduring hardships and isolation. Despite the rigorous demands of his studies, the mountain’s charm was irresistible. Each season, at dawn and dusk, he found himself drawn to Meier Mountain, creating poems and paintings inspired by its beauty. In Li Mingzhang’s mind, Meier Mountain embodied a beloved figure, someone to cherish and appreciate in quiet moments.
Li Mingzhang’s works include numerous poems and paintings dedicated to Meier Mountain, filled with deep affection and fresh expression. Although some of his poetry includes metaphorical references to mystical women, they are not considered vulgar. Nonetheless, there were criticisms from some quarters, though these criticisms often focused on the mountain itself rather than Li Mingzhang directly.
As an accomplished scholar returning to his hometown, Li Mingzhang remained deeply attached to Meier Mountain. His works, particularly the poem “Ode to Meier Mountain,” vividly describe the mountain’s seasonal beauty and his enduring affection, continuing to evoke admiration and respect for its timeless charm.
