The Peach Blossom Spring

— by Tao Yuanming (Jin)

During the Taiyuan era of the Jin Dynasty, a fisherman from Wuling made his living by fishing. One day, he sailed along a stream, forgetting how far he had traveled. Suddenly, he came upon a grove of peach trees lining both banks for several hundred paces. There were no other trees among them; the fragrant grasses were fresh and beautiful, and fallen petals lay scattered everywhere. The fisherman was astonished and continued forward, wishing to reach the end of the grove.

At the source where the grove ended, he found a mountain with a small opening that seemed to emit light. Leaving his boat, he entered through the opening. At first, it was extremely narrow—barely wide enough for a person. After advancing a few dozen steps, it opened up into a spacious, bright expanse. The land was flat and broad, with neat houses, fine fields, beautiful ponds, and groves of mulberry and bamboo. Paths crisscrossed the fields, and the sounds of chickens and dogs could be heard. People were coming and going, working and planting; men and women were dressed just like outsiders. Both the elderly with yellowed hair and children with flowing locks were content and joyful.

Upon seeing the fisherman, the villagers were greatly surprised and asked where he had come from. He answered in detail. They invited him to their homes, serving wine and killing chickens for a feast. When the village heard of this visitor, all came to inquire. They explained that their ancestors had fled the turmoil of the Qin Dynasty, leading their families and fellow villagers to this isolated place, never leaving it again and thus cutting off all contact with the outside world. When they asked what era it was now, they knew nothing of the Han Dynasty, let alone the Wei and Jin. The fisherman told them everything he knew, and they all sighed with regret. Other villagers then invited him to their homes in turn, offering food and drink. He stayed for several days before taking his leave. As he departed, the villagers said, “Do not speak of this to outsiders.”

After leaving, he found his boat and retraced his route, marking landmarks along the way. Arriving at the commandery seat, he reported everything to the governor. The governor immediately sent men to follow him and seek out the marked path, but they became lost and never found the way again.

Liu Ziji of Nanyang, a noble scholar, heard of this and eagerly planned to go. He did not succeed, fell ill soon after, and died. Since then, no one has sought it out.

Note

The Peach Blossom Spring, written in around 421 CE by the Eastern Jin dynasty poet Tao Yuanming (365–427 CE), is a foundational work of Chinese literature. It tells the story of a fisherman who accidentally discovers a hidden utopia while sailing along a stream in Wuling.

Core Narrative

• Discovery: The fisherman finds a cave behind a magical peach-blossom grove, leading to an isolated village.
• Utopian Society: The villagers live in peace, unaware of external wars or dynastic changes since their ancestors fled the Qin dynasty’s turmoil (3rd century BCE).
• Mystery: After leaving, the fisherman fails to relocate the paradise despite marking his path—symbolizing its elusive and transcendent nature.

Key Themes

• Idealized Harmony: Depicts a society free from oppression, with “fertile fields, mulberry groves, and contented people of all ages”.
• Escapism: Reflects ancient Chinese intellectuals’ longing to withdraw from political chaos.

Cultural Impact

Inspired countless poems, paintings, and adaptations across East Asia. For example, we can see the Yueyang Pavilion had been inspired by the Peach Blossom Spring. The term “Peach Blossom Spring” became synonymous with an unattainable ideal.

This literary masterpiece explores humanity’s universal yearning for peace – remaining profoundly relevant across 1,600 years.

桃花源记
晋太元中，武陵人捕鱼为业。缘溪行，忘路之远近。忽逢桃花林，夹岸数百步，中无杂树，芳草鲜美，落英缤纷。渔人甚异之。复前行，欲穷其林。
林尽水源，便得一山，山有小口，仿佛若有光。便舍船，从口入。初极狭，才通人。复行数十步，豁然开朗。土地平旷，屋舍俨然，有良田美池桑竹之属。阡陌交通，鸡犬相闻。其中往来种作，男女衣着，悉如外人。黄发垂髫，并怡然自乐。
见渔人，乃大惊，问所从来。具答之。便要还家，设酒杀鸡作食。村中闻有此人，咸来问讯。自云先世避秦时乱，率妻子邑人来此绝境，不复出焉，遂与外人间隔。问今是何世，乃不知有汉，无论魏晋。此人一一为具言所闻，皆叹惋。余人各复延至其家，皆出酒食。停数日，辞去。此中人语云：“不足为外人道也。”
既出，得其船，便扶向路，处处志之。及郡下，诣太守，说如此。太守即遣人随其往，寻向所志，遂迷，不复得路。
南阳刘子骥，高尚士也，闻之，欣然规往。未果，寻病终，后遂无问津者。