Climbing Stork Tower

The white sun sets against the mountains, the Yellow River flows into the sea. If you want to see a thousand miles, climb one more story.

The setting sun beyond the mountains glows, the Yellow River seaward flows. To see a thousand miles away, climb higher still, I say.

Written at the famous Stork Tower on the Yellow River, this poem became one of the most celebrated works in Chinese literature. The tower was a landmark where travelers would pause to enjoy the view. Wang Zhihuan uses the physical act of climbing to express the philosophical idea that greater understanding requires continuous effort and the willingness to go beyond comfortable limits. The poem's universal message about ambition and perspective has made it beloved across generations.