My Translation of Du Mu's Poem "Spring in Jiangnan"

Tang poet Du Mu (803 – 852), one of my favorite poets, wrote the poem “Spring in Jiangnan” to celebrate the spring charm of Jiangnan (the most prosperous region with stunning landscapes located south of the Yangtze River in ancient China).

In celebration of the coming of spring and to provide a comforting distraction to my blog readers from the ongoing pandemic gloom, I’ve attempted a translation of this beautiful poem. Hope you’ll like it.

江南春 -  杜牧

千里鶯啼綠映紅,
水村山郭酒旗風;
南朝四百八十寺,
多少樓台煙雨中。

My Translation:

Spring in Jiangnan – by Du Mu

Birdsongs traverse miles of greens and pinks,

Lapped in rivers and hills, tavern banners wink;

Hordes of monasteries hailing from the Southern Dynasties,

Countless pavilions, now washed in misty rain.