Xie Tiao (AD 464-499) was a poet of the Southern Dynasties, whose courtesy name was Xuanhui. He was a native of Yangxia, Chenjun County (Taikang County, Henan Province). He was rarely studious, but had a good reputation. His articles were clear and beautiful, he was good at calligraphy, and he was good at five-character poems. He is a literati who integrates poetry, literature and calligraphy, and is especially famous for his poetry. His poems have harmonious tone and rhythm, sonorous rhymes, gorgeous words and neat dialogues. They were highly praised by his friend and literary historian Shen Yue. Du Fu, the poet saint of the Tang Dynasty, admired Xie's poems very much. Every one of his poems can be recited aloud.
Because of his outstanding literary talent, Xie Tiao was highly valued by the Southern Qi court. He was once transferred to Jinling (Nanjing), the capital, to serve as a counselor for the Hussar, the chief secretary of the office and Zhongshulang, responsible for copywriting; later he served as Xuancheng (Nanjing) Today's Xuancheng City, Anhui Province). During his tenure, Xie Tiao was particularly fond of the beautiful scenery and picturesque scenery of Qingshan. For this reason, he built a house in Qingshan and often came to climb mountains to enjoy the scenery, rest and chant. Therefore, Qingshan is also named Xiegong Mountain or Xiejia Mountain.
In the fourth year of Jianwu (497), Xie Tiao served as the prefect of Nandonghai County (under the jurisdiction of Dantu County, Jiangsu). Later, he was promoted to Shangshu and Libulang. When he returned to Beijing to serve, he was framed by powerful ministers and imprisoned to death. He was only 36 years old.