The Four Famous Towers is a general term, specifically referring to the Stork Tower in Yongji, Shanxi, Tengwang Pavilion in Nanchang, Jiangxi, Yellow Crane Tower in Wuhan, Hubei, and Yueyang Tower in Yueyang, Hunan. Relevant verses include:
1. To the west of the Stork Tower is a hundred-foot-high beam, and there are countless clouds and trees in Tingzhou.
"Climbing the Stork Tower with Cui Ying" Tang Dynasty: Li Yi
To the west of the Stork Tower, there are hundreds of feet of wood, and the clouds and trees of Tingzhou are vast. The flutes and drums of the Han family are empty and the water is flowing, and the sun is half setting on the mountains and rivers of the Wei state.
Things have gone by for thousands of years, but worries have lasted for just one day. The wind and smoke make me think and look back. If my eyes are far away from spring, I will hurt myself.
Interpretation:
There are hundreds of feet of masts to the west of the Stork Tower, and there is a vast expanse of towering trees on Tingzhou. The music played by the Han Dynasty is like the passing water, and the mountains and rivers of the Wei Kingdom are already halfway into the sunset. It’s a pity that time flies by so fast even after thousands of years have passed. Even when sorrow comes, one day feels too long. The war aroused the feeling of longing for home, and the scenery in front of the Yuanwang Tower was no longer spring, so I couldn't help but feel sad.
2. The king of Teng has a high pavilion near the river, and he wears jade and sings the luan while singing and dancing.
"Poems of Prince Teng's Pavilion" Tang Dynasty: Wang Bo
The high pavilion of Prince Teng is near the river, and he sings and dances while wearing a jade-colored luan. The painted building is flying toward Nanpu clouds, and the bead curtain rolls into the west mountain rain at dusk.
The shadows in Xianyuntan Lake are long, and things change and the stars move several autumns. Where is the emperor's son in the pavilion now? Outside the threshold, the Yangtze River flows freely.
Interpretation:
The towering Tengwang Pavilion overlooks the sandbank in the middle of the river, and the gorgeous singing and dancing with the ringing of jade and luan bells has long stopped. The clouds in Nanpu are flying around the painting building, and the rain in the Xishan Mountains in the evening is blowing on the bead curtain.
The shadows of leisurely colorful clouds are reflected in the river, floating leisurely all day long. Time flies, personnel change, and I don’t know how many springs and autumns have passed. Prince Teng, who used to visit the high pavilion, is nowhere to be found now. Only the surging river water outside the railing is rushing into the distance.
3. When will I ask for a tassel to carry the sharp brigade and cross the Qinghe River and Luo River with a whip? But he returned and continued his tour of Hanyang, riding a yellow crane.
"The River is Red: Impressions of Climbing the Yellow Crane Tower" Song Dynasty: Yue Fei
Looking at the Central Plains, there are many city walls outside the desolate smoke. I think of those days when flowers covered willows and phoenix towers and dragon pavilions were built. The front of the Long Live Mountain is surrounded by pearls and greenery, and music and singing are performed in the Peng Hu Hall. Up to now, the suburbs are full of iron cavalry, and the wind and dust are bad.
Where are the troops? Cream front e. Are the people safe? Fill gullies. Sigh that the country remains the same, thousands of villages are scattered. When will I ask for a tassel to carry a sharp brigade and cross the Qinghe River and Luo with a whip? But he returned and continued his tour of Hanyang, riding a yellow crane.
Interpretation:
Looking at the Central Plains from the Yellow Crane Tower, there are many cities in the barren grassland. I recall those days when the city was covered with flowers, the city walls were covered with willow trees, and the pavilions were carved with dragons and phoenixes. In front of the Long Live Mountain and in the Penghu Hall, there are lively scenes of palace ladies singing and dancing. Now, the Hulu cavalry are trampling and surrounding the outskirts of the capital. The dust is filled with dust and the fighting situation is dangerous.
Where are the soldiers? Their blood stained the battlefield, and their blood moistened their weapons. Where are the people? They were killed in the war, and their bodies filled the valley. Lamenting that the great rivers and mountains remain the same as before, but thousands of families have been displaced and the countryside is deserted. When can I ask for help to kill the enemy, lead the elite troops to the Northern Expedition, cross the Yangtze River with a whip, clear out the barbarians roaming the "suburban areas", and regain the Central Plains? Then come back and visit the Yellow Crane Tower again to continue the excitement of today’s visit.
4. In the past, I heard about Dongting water, and now I go to Yueyang Tower.
"Climbing the Yueyang Tower" Tang Dynasty: Du Fu
In the past, I heard about the water in Dongting, and now I am going up to the Yueyang Tower. To the southeast of Wu and Chu, the universe floats day and night.
There are no relatives and friends, and there are no old and sick people. The soldiers and horses pass through the north of the mountain, and Pingxuan Tisi flows.
Interpretation:
In the past, I heard that Dongting Lake was magnificent, and today I finally climbed to the Yueyang Tower as I wished. The vast lake tore apart Wu and Chu, as if the sun, moon and stars were floating in the water. There is no news from my relatives and friends, I am old and sick, and I am drifting around in a lonely boat. The fighting at the northern border broke out again, and I leaned on the railing and looked into the distance with tears streaming down my face.
5. Standing on the flying birds, higher than the world.
"Climbing the Stork Tower" Tang Dynasty: Changdang
I am standing on the flying bird, higher than the world.
The sky surrounds the plains, and the rivers flow into the broken mountains.
Interpretation:
The Stork Tower is high above the birds, far away from the world. From above you can see the sky covering the flat fields and the rivers flowing into the steep mountains.
Baidu Encyclopedia - Four Famous Buildings