Explore Sheshan It is an ink-washed painting. The painting reflects the natural environment of the nine peaks. Peaks undulate among an expanse of water. Dong Qichang lived in the capital some 2,000 miles away from his hometown.
In the Western Jin Dynasty (AD 265~316), the 20-year-old, Lu Ji, brought his younger brother, Lu Yun, and his family to his hometown at small Kunshan Mountain. They studied behind closed doors. The brothers raised a dog that looked similar to a pony that was about 1m high and 1.6m long from head to tail.
Sheshan Mountain in Songjiang is known far and wide. Legend has it that this mountain used to be called Snake Mountain.
I often stand in the constellation square at the top of West Sheshan Mountain, look into the distance and watch the large car park and the imposing gatehouse.
Each week, I find time to visit Sheshan Mountain by driving onto the viaduct from downtown Shanghai and speeding along the Huqingping Expressway. Perhaps tired of the urban hubbub, when I drive on the expressway, my mind reaches Sheshan Mountain. The familiar sight of Sheshan Mountain soothes and comforts me.
Somebody told me a shortcut to Sheshan Mountain, so I drove along the road with expectation.
When I drove up the bridge, the corners of my eyes told me there was a beautiful scene coming in the distance. When I looked at the north, dim peaks towered. I pulled over my car in order to have a clearer look.
It is an ink-washed painting on paper, 98.4 cm high and 47.2 cm wide, created by Dong Qichang at 72 years old in the sixth year of Emperor Tianqi's reign in the Ming Dynasty (AD 1626). In the painting, East Sheshan Mountain and West Sheshan Mountain have peaks rising one higher than another.
