Category: Chinese Culture

Dēng Guànquè Lóu
登鹳雀楼
Wáng Zhīhuàn (Táng)
王之涣（唐）
Báirì yī shān jìn,
白日依山尽，
Huáng Hé rù hǎi liú.
黄河入海流。
Yù qióng qiān lǐ mù,
欲穷千里目，
gèng shàng yì céng lóu.
更上一层楼。
诗词评析：
鹳雀楼，旧址在今山西省永济县西南，因时有鹳雀栖息在上面而得名，楼高三层，在上面可以俯瞰黄河。“穷”是“穷尽”的意思。
落日向着一望无际、连绵起伏的群山冉冉落下，流经楼下的黄河奔腾咆哮、滚滚流归大海。想要放眼千里，还要再上一层楼。
这首诗的前两句写的是登楼望见的景色，画面宽广，意境悠远。最后两句诗由景生意，升华了全诗的境界，既反映了诗人向上进取的精神和高瞻远瞩的胸襟，也道出了一个哲理：站得高才能看得远。Evaluation
The Stork Tower, situated formerly in the southwest of Yongji County of today's Shanxi Province, was so named because once there were storks inhabiting on it. On the top of the three-story-tower, one could have a bird's eye view of the Yellow River. "穷(qióng )" means "endless".
The sun sets down slowly along the endless undulating mountains. The surging Yellow River running past the tower flows seaward. Climb to a higher floor, and you will enjoy a grander view.
The first two sentences of the poem depict the view seen from the top of the tower, a wide picture leaving people with a far-reaching imagination. The last two sentences after the description is the climax of the poem. They reflect not only the enterprising spirit and farsighted viewpoint of the poet, but also uncover a philosophy that only by climbing up to a new height, one can see further.
Explanation
栖息(qī xī)： to inhabit, perch(v.)
俯瞰(fǔ kàn)： to overlook (v. )
一望无际(yī wàng wú jì)： endless (adj. )
连绵起伏(lián mián qǐ fú)： undulating, rolling(hills) (adj. )
眼界(yǎn jiè)： viewpoint, horizon (n. )
景色(jǐng sè)： landscape, scenery (n. )
反映(fǎn yìng)： to reflect (v. )
哲理(zhé lǐ)： philosophy (n. )