Chapter 5 of the Classic of Mountains and Seas (part 1)

The Classic of the Central Mountains (中山经 Zhōngshānjīng) is the fifth and last book of the «Five Classics of the Mountains» (五藏山经). By far the longest, it counts twelve successive ranges describing the mountains of the Yellow River and Luo basin. This page covers the first half: the first six ranges (中次一经 to 中次六经); the second half (中次七经 to 中次十二经) forms a separate page. The Chinese text is given with its pinyin transcription, followed by the English translation and notes.

First Central Classic — 中次一经 (the Boshan range)

《中zhōng山shān經jīng》薄báo山shān之zhī首shǒu，曰yuē甘gān棗zǎo之zhī山shān。共gòng水shuǐ出chū焉yān，而ér西xī流liú注zhù于yú河hé。其qí上shàng多duō杻niǔ木mù，其qí下xià有yǒu草cǎo焉yān，葵kuí本běn而ér杏xìng葉yè，黃huáng華huá而ér莢jiá實shí，名míng曰yuē蘀tuò，可kě以yǐ已yǐ瞢méng。有yǒu獸shòu焉yān，其qí狀zhuàng如rú𤠢wén鼠shǔ而ér文wén題tí，其qí名míng曰yuē㔮něi，食shí之zhī已yǐ癭yǐng。

The Classic of the Central Mountains. The first mountain of the Boshan range is called Mount Ganzao (甘棗). The Gong River (共水) rises from it and flows west to empty into the River. Its summit abounds in niu trees (杻); at its foot grows a grass with a mallow root and apricot leaves, with yellow flowers and pod-like fruits, called tuo (蘀); it heals disorders of sight. There is found a beast resembling the wen rat (𤠢鼠) but with a spotted forehead, called nei (㔮); whoever eats it is cured of goiter.

又yòu東dōng二èr十shí里lǐ，曰yuē歷lì兒ér之zhī山shān，其qí上shàng多duō橿jiāng，多duō櫔lì木mù，是shì木mù也yě，方fāng莖jīng而ér員yuán葉yè，黃huáng華huá而ér毛máo，其qí實shí如rú揀jiǎn，服fú之zhī不bù忘wàng。

Twenty li to the east lies Mount Li'er (歷兒). Its summit abounds in jiang (橿) and li (櫔) trees; this li tree has a square stem and round leaves, yellow downy flowers, and a fruit resembling the acorn; whoever consumes it does not lose memory.

又yòu東dōng十shí五wǔ里lǐ，曰yuē渠qú豬zhū之zhī山shān，其qí上shàng多duō竹zhú。渠qú豬zhū之zhī水shuǐ出chū焉yān，而ér南nán流liú注zhù于yú河hé。其qí中zhōng是shì多duō豪háo魚yú，狀zhuàng如rú鮪wěi，赤chì喙huì尾wěi赤chì羽yǔ，可kě以yǐ已yǐ白bái癬xuǎn。

Fifteen li to the east lies Mount Quzhu (渠豬). Its summit abounds in bamboo. The Quzhu River (渠豬水) rises from it and flows south to empty into the River. It abounds in hao fish (豪魚), resembling the sturgeon (wei 鮪), with red beak and red fins; they heal ringworm.

又yòu東dōng三sān十shí五wǔ里lǐ，曰yuē葱cōng聾lóng之zhī山shān，其qí中zhōng多duō大dà谷gǔ，是shì多duō白bái堊è，黑hēi、青qīng、黃huáng堊è。

Thirty-five li to the east lies Mount Conglong (葱聾); it abounds in great valleys and white chalk, as well as black, blue and yellow chalk.

又yòu東dōng十shí五wǔ里lǐ，曰yuē涹wō山shān，其qí上shàng多duō赤chì銅tóng，其qí陰yīn多duō鐵tiě。

Fifteen li to the east lies Mount Wo (涹山). Its summit abounds in red copper, its northern slope in iron.

又yòu東dōng七qī十shí里lǐ，曰yuē脫tuō扈hù之zhī山shān。有yǒu草cǎo焉yān，其qí狀zhuàng如rú葵kuí葉yè而ér赤chì華huá，莢jiá實shí，實shí如rú椶zōng莢jiá，名míng曰yuē植zhí楮chǔ，可kě以yǐ已yǐ癙shǔ，食shí之zhī不bù眯mī。

Seventy li to the east lies Mount Tuohu (脫扈). There is found a grass with mallow leaves and red flowers, with pod-like fruits resembling palm pods, called zhichu (植楮); it heals fistula, and whoever eats it does not have blurred sight.

又yòu東dōng二èr十shí里lǐ，曰yuē金jīn星xīng之zhī山shān，多duō天tiān嬰yīng，其qí狀zhuàng如rú龍lóng骨gǔ，可kě以yǐ已yǐ痤cuó。

Twenty li to the east lies Mount Jinxing (金星). It abounds in tianying (天嬰), whose aspect recalls dragon bone; it heals boils.

又yòu東dōng七qī十shí里lǐ，曰yuē泰tài威wēi之zhī山shān，其qí中zhōng有yǒu谷gǔ曰yuē梟xiāo谷gǔ，其qí中zhōng多duō鐵tiě。

Seventy li to the east lies Mount Taiwei (泰威); it holds a valley named Xiaogu (梟谷), rich in iron.

又yòu東dōng十shí五wǔ里lǐ，曰yuē橿jiāng谷gǔ之zhī山shān，其qí中zhōng多duō赤chì銅tóng。

Fifteen li to the east lies Mount Janggu (橿谷); it abounds in red copper.

又yòu東dōng百bǎi二èr十shí里lǐ，曰yuē吳wú林lín之zhī山shān，其qí中zhōng多duō葌jiān草cǎo。

One hundred and twenty li to the east lies Mount Wulin (吳林); it abounds in jian grass (葌草).

又yòu北běi三sān十shí里lǐ，曰yuē牛niú首shǒu之zhī山shān。有yǒu草cǎo焉yān，名míng曰yuē鬼guǐ草cǎo，其qí葉yè如rú葵kuí而ér赤chì莖jīng，其qí秀xiù如rú禾hé，服fú之zhī不bù憂yōu。勞láo水shuǐ出chū焉yān，而ér西xī流liú注zhù于yú潏jué水shuǐ。是shì多duō飛fēi魚yú，其qí狀zhuàng如rú鮒fù魚yú，食shí之zhī已yǐ痔zhì衕tòng。

Thirty li to the north lies Mount Niushou (牛首). There is found a grass called guicao (鬼草, ghost-grass), with mallow leaves and a red stem, with an ear resembling that of millet; whoever consumes it knows sorrow no more. The Lao River (勞水) rises from it and flows west to empty into the Jue (潏水); it abounds in flying fish (feiyu 飛魚), resembling the bream; whoever eats them is cured of hemorrhoids and diarrhea.

又yòu北běi四sì十shí里lǐ，曰yuē霍huò山shān，其qí木mù多duō穀gǔ。有yǒu獸shòu焉yān，其qí狀zhuàng如rú狸lí，而ér白bái尾wěi有yǒu鬣liè，名míng曰yuē朏fěi朏fěi，養yǎng之zhī可kě以yǐ已yǐ憂yōu。

Forty li to the north lies Mount Huo (霍山). Its trees are mostly paper mulberries. There is found a beast resembling the wildcat, with a white tail and furnished with a mane, called feifei (朏朏); rearing it dispels sorrow.

又yòu北běi五wǔ十shí二èr里lǐ，曰yuē合hé谷gǔ之zhī山shān，是shì多duō薝zhān棘jí。

Fifty-two li to the north lies Mount Hegu (合谷); it abounds in thorny jujubes (zhanji 薝棘).

又yòu北běi三sān十shí五wǔ里lǐ，曰yuē陰yīn山shān，多duō礪lì石shí、文wén石shí。少shǎo水shuǐ出chū焉yān，其qí中zhōng多duō彫diāo棠táng，其qí葉yè如rú榆yú葉yè而ér方fāng，其qí實shí如rú赤chì菽shū，食shí之zhī已yǐ聾lóng。

Thirty-five li to the north lies Mount Yin (陰山); it abounds in whetstone and veined stones. The Shao River (少水) rises from it; it abounds in diaotang (彫棠), with elm leaves but square, with a fruit resembling the red bean; whoever eats it is cured of deafness.

又yòu東dōng北běi四sì百bǎi里lǐ，曰yuē鼓gǔ鐙dēng之zhī山shān，多duō赤chì銅tóng。有yǒu草cǎo焉yān，名míng曰yuē榮róng草cǎo，其qí葉yè如rú柳liǔ，其qí本běn如rú鷄jī卵luǎn，食shí之zhī已yǐ風fēng。

Four hundred li to the northeast lies Mount Gudeng (鼓鐙); it abounds in red copper. There is found a grass called rongcao (榮草), with willow leaves and a root resembling a hen's egg; whoever eats it is cured of ailments caused by wind.

凡fán薄báo山shān之zhī首shǒu，自zì甘gān棗zǎo之zhī山shān至zhì于yú鼓gǔ鐙dēng之zhī山shān，凡fán十shí五wǔ山shān，六liù千qiān六liù百bǎi七qī十shí里lǐ。歷lì兒ér，冢zhǒng也yě，其qí祠cí禮lǐ：毛máo，太tài牢láo之zhī具jù；縣xiàn以yǐ吉jí玉yù。其qí餘yú十shí三sān山shān者zhě，毛máo用yòng一yī羊yáng，縣xiàn嬰yīng用yòng桑sāng封fēng，瘞yì而ér不bù糈xǔ。桑sāng封fēng者zhě，桑sāng主zhǔ也yě，方fāng其qí下xià而ér銳ruì其qí上shàng，而ér中zhōng穿chuān之zhī加jiā金jīn。

In all, from Mount Ganzao to Mount Gudeng, the Boshan range counts fifteen mountains, over six thousand six hundred and seventy li. Mount Li'er is its sacred hill; the rite of its cult: an offering of hair and a great sacrifice (tailao), with the suspension of auspicious jade. For the other thirteen mountains, a sheep is offered, and one suspends, in lieu of a tablet, a «mulberry seal» (sangfeng), which is buried without sacred grain. The sangfeng is a «mulberry master»: square at the base, pointed at the top, pierced at the center and fitted with metal.

Second Central Classic — 中次二经 (the Jishan range)

《中zhōng次cì二èr經jīng》濟jì山shān之zhī首shǒu，曰yuē煇huī諸zhū之zhī山shān，其qí上shàng多duō桑sāng，其qí獸shòu多duō閭lǘ麋mí，其qí鳥niǎo多duō鶡hé。

The first mountain of the Second Central Classic, the Jishan range, is called Mount Huizhu (煇諸). Its summit abounds in mulberries; its beasts are mostly lümi deer (閭麋), its birds mostly hé pheasants (鶡).

又yòu西xī南nán二èr百bǎi里lǐ，曰yuē發fā視shì之zhī山shān，其qí上shàng多duō金jīn玉yù，其qí下xià多duō砥dǐ礪lì。即jí魚yú之zhī水shuǐ出chū焉yān，而ér西xī流liú注zhù于yú伊yī水shuǐ。

Two hundred li to the southwest lies Mount Fashi (發視). Its summit abounds in gold and jade, its foot in whetstone. The Jiyu River (即魚水) rises from it and flows west to empty into the Yi (伊水).

又yòu西xī三sān百bǎi里lǐ，曰yuē豪háo山shān，其qí上shàng多duō金jīn玉yù而ér無wú草cǎo木mù。

Three hundred li to the west lies Mount Hao (豪山). Its summit abounds in gold and jade, and it is devoid of grass and trees.

又yòu西xī三sān百bǎi里lǐ，曰yuē鮮xiān山shān，多duō金jīn玉yù，無wú草cǎo木mù。鮮xiān水shuǐ出chū焉yān，而ér北běi流liú注zhù于yú伊yī水shuǐ。其qí中zhōng多duō鳴míng蛇shé，其qí狀zhuàng如rú蛇shé而ér四sì翼yì，其qí音yīn如rú磬qìng，見jiàn則zé其qí邑yì大dà旱hàn。

Three hundred li to the west lies Mount Xian (鮮山), abounding in gold and jade, devoid of grass and trees. The Xian River (鮮水) rises from it and flows north to empty into the Yi. It abounds in «singing serpents» (mingshe 鳴蛇), resembling the serpent but with four wings, whose cry is like a sonorous stone; when they appear, the region knows a great drought.

又yòu西xī三sān百bǎi里lǐ，曰yuē陽yáng山shān，多duō石shí，無wú草cǎo木mù。陽yáng水shuǐ出chū焉yān，而ér北běi流liú注zhù于yú伊yī水shuǐ。其qí中zhōng多duō化huà蛇shé，其qí狀zhuàng如rú人rén面miàn而ér豺chái身shēn，鳥niǎo翼yì而ér蛇shé行xíng，其qí音yīn如rú叱chì呼hū，見jiàn則zé其qí邑yì大dà水shuǐ。

Three hundred li to the west lies Mount Yang (陽山), abounding in stones, devoid of grass and trees. The Yang River (陽水) rises from it and flows north to empty into the Yi. It abounds in «metamorph serpents» (huashe 化蛇), with a human face and a jackal's body, bird's wings and a serpent's crawl, whose cry is like a reprimand; when they appear, the region knows great floods.

又yòu西xī二èr百bǎi里lǐ，曰yuē昆kūn吾wú之zhī山shān，其qí上shàng多duō赤chì銅tóng。有yǒu獸shòu焉yān，其qí狀zhuàng如rú彘zhì而ér有yǒu角jiǎo，其qí音yīn如rú號hào，名míng曰yuē蠪lóng蚳chí，食shí之zhī不bù眯mī。

Two hundred li to the west lies Mount Kunwu (昆吾). Its summit abounds in red copper. There is found a beast resembling the pig but furnished with horns, whose cry is like a howl, called longchi (蠪蚳); whoever eats it does not have blurred sight.

又yòu西xī百bǎi二èr十shí里lǐ，曰yuē葌jiān山shān，葌jiān水shuǐ出chū焉yān，而ér北běi流liú注zhù于yú伊yī水shuǐ，其qí上shàng多duō金jīn玉yù，其qí下xià多duō青qīng雄xióng黃huáng。有yǒu木mù焉yān，其qí狀zhuàng如rú棠táng而ér赤chì葉yè，名míng曰yuē芒máng草cǎo，可kě以yǐ毒dú魚yú。

One hundred and twenty li to the west lies Mount Jian (葌山). The Jian River (葌水) rises from it and flows north to empty into the Yi. Its summit abounds in gold and jade, its foot in green realgar. There is found a tree resembling the wild pear but with red leaves, called mangcao (芒草); it is used to poison fish.

又yòu西xī一yī百bǎi五wǔ十shí里lǐ，曰yuē獨dú蘇sū之zhī山shān，無wú草cǎo木mù而ér多duō水shuǐ。

One hundred and fifty li to the west lies Mount Dusu (獨蘇), devoid of grass and trees but abounding in waters.

又yòu西xī二èr百bǎi里lǐ，曰yuē蔓màn渠qú之zhī山shān，其qí上shàng多duō金jīn玉yù，其qí下xià多duō竹zhú箭jiàn。伊yī水shuǐ出chū焉yān，而ér東dōng流liú注zhù于yú洛luò。有yǒu獸shòu焉yān，其qí名míng曰yuē馬mǎ腹fù，其qí狀zhuàng如rú人rén面miàn虎hǔ身shēn，其qí音yīn如rú嬰yīng兒ér，是shì食shí人rén。

Two hundred li to the west lies Mount Manqu (蔓渠). Its summit abounds in gold and jade, its foot in arrow bamboo. The Yi River (伊水) rises from it and flows east to empty into the Luo (洛). There is found a beast called mafu (馬腹, «horse-belly»), with a human face and a tiger's body, whose cry is like that of an infant; it devours men.

凡fán濟jì山shān經jīng之zhī首shǒu，自zì輝huī諸zhū之zhī山shān至zhì于yú蔓màn渠qú之zhī山shān，凡fán九jiǔ山shān，一yī千qiān六liù百bǎi七qī十shí里lǐ，其qí神shén皆jiē人rén面miàn而ér鳥niǎo身shēn。祠cí用yòng毛máo，用yòng一yī吉jí玉yù，投tóu而ér不bù糈xǔ。

In all, from Mount Huizhu to Mount Manqu, the Jishan range counts nine mountains, over one thousand six hundred and seventy li. Their deities all have a human face and a bird's body. For their cult, one uses an offering of hair and a tablet of auspicious jade, which is cast into the water, without sacred grain.

Third Central Classic — 中次三经 (the Fushan range)

《中zhōng次cì三sān經jīng》萯fù山shān之zhī首shǒu，曰yuē敖áo岸àn之zhī山shān，其qí陽yáng多duō㻬tū琈fú之zhī玉yù，其qí陰yīn多duō赭zhě、黃huáng金jīn。神shén熏xūn池chí居jū之zhī。是shì常cháng出chū美měi玉yù。北běi望wàng河hé林lín，其qí狀zhuàng如rú蒨qiàn如rú舉jǔ。有yǒu獸shòu焉yān，其qí狀zhuàng如rú白bái鹿lù而ér四sì角jiǎo，名míng曰yuē夫fū諸zhū，見jiàn則zé其qí邑yì大dà水shuǐ。

The first mountain of the Third Central Classic, the Fushan range, is called Mount Aoan (敖岸). Its southern slope abounds in tufu jade, its northern slope in ochre and gold. The god Xunchi (熏池) dwells there, and from it flows ceaselessly fine jade. To the north one perceives the forest of the River, whose aspect is madder-red and dense. There is found a beast resembling the white deer but with four horns, called fuzhu (夫諸); when it appears, the region knows great floods.

又yòu東dōng十shí里lǐ，曰yuē青qīng要yào之zhī山shān，實shí維wéi帝dì之zhī密mì都dōu。北běi望wàng河hé曲qū，是shì多duō駕jià鳥niǎo。南nán望wàng墠shàn渚zhǔ，禹yǔ父fù之zhī所suǒ化huà，是shì多duō僕pú纍léi、蒲pú盧lú。䰠shén武wǔ羅luó司sī之zhī，其qí狀zhuàng人rén面miàn而ér豹bào文wén，小xiǎo腰yāo而ér白bái齒chǐ，而ér穿chuān耳ěr以yǐ鐻jù，其qí鳴míng如rú鳴míng玉yù。是shì山shān也yě，宜yí女nǚ子zi。畛zhěn水shuǐ出chū焉yān，而ér北běi流liú注zhù于yú河hé。其qí中zhōng有yǒu鳥niǎo焉yān，名míng曰yuē鴢yǎo，其qí狀zhuàng如rú鳧fú，青qīng身shēn而ér朱zhū目mù赤chì尾wěi，食shí之zhī宜yí子zi。有yǒu草cǎo焉yān，其qí狀zhuàng如rú葌jiān，而ér方fāng莖jīng黃huáng華huá赤chì實shí，其qí本běn如rú藁gǎo本běn，名míng曰yuē荀xún草cǎo，服fú之zhī美měi人rén色sè。

Ten li to the east lies Mount Qingyao (青要), which is the secret capital of the Celestial Emperor. To the north one perceives the Bend of the River, peopled with jia birds (駕鳥). To the south one perceives the islet Shanzhu (墠渚), place of the metamorphosis of Yu's father (Gun), peopled with pulei (僕纍) and pulu (蒲盧). The god Wuluo (武羅) presides there; he has a human face and panther markings, a slender waist and white teeth, the ears pierced with rings (ju 鐻), and his cry is like the tinkling of jade. This mountain is auspicious for women. The Zhen River (畛水) rises from it and flows north to empty into the River. There is found a bird called yao (鴢), resembling the wild duck, with a blue-green body, vermilion eyes and a red tail; whoever eats it will have numerous offspring. There is found a grass resembling the jian (葌), with a square stem, yellow flowers and red fruits, with a root resembling angelica (gaoben 藁本), called xuncao (荀草); whoever consumes it beautifies the complexion.

又yòu東dōng十shí里lǐ，曰yuē騩guī山shān，其qí上shàng有yǒu美měi棗zǎo，其qí陰yīn有yǒu㻬tū琈fú之zhī玉yù。正zhèng回huí之zhī水shuǐ出chū焉yān，而ér北běi流liú注zhù于yú河hé。其qí中zhōng多duō飛fēi魚yú，其qí狀zhuàng如rú豚tún而ér赤chì文wén，服fú之zhī不bù畏wèi雷léi，可kě以yǐ禦yù兵bīng。

Ten li to the east lies Mount Gui (騩山). Its summit bears fine jujubes, its northern slope tufu jade. The Zhenghui River (正回水) rises from it and flows north to empty into the River. It abounds in flying fish (feiyu 飛魚), resembling the piglet but with red markings; whoever consumes them does not fear lightning, and they protect against weapons.

又yòu東dōng四sì十shí里lǐ，曰yuē宜yí蘇sū之zhī山shān，其qí上shàng多duō金jīn玉yù，其qí下xià多duō蔓màn居jū之zhī木mù。滽yōng滽yōng之zhī水shuǐ出chū焉yān，而ér北běi流liú注zhù于yú河hé，是shì多duō黃huáng貝bèi。

Forty li to the east lies Mount Yisu (宜蘇). Its summit abounds in gold and jade, its foot in manju trees (蔓居). The Yongyong River (滽滽水) rises from it and flows north to empty into the River; it abounds in yellow shells.

又yòu東dōng二èr十shí里lǐ，曰yuē和hé山shān，其qí上shàng無wú草cǎo木mù而ér多duō瑤yáo碧bì，實shí惟wéi河hé之zhī九jiǔ都dōu。是shì山shān也yě五wǔ曲qū，九jiǔ水shuǐ出chū焉yān，合hé而ér北běi流liú注zhù于yú河hé，其qí中zhōng多duō蒼cāng玉yù。吉jí神shén泰tài逢féng司sī之zhī，其qí狀zhuàng如rú人rén而ér虎hǔ尾wěi，是shì好hǎo居jū于yú萯fù山shān之zhī陽yáng，出chū入rù有yǒu光guāng。太tài逢féng神shén動dòng天tiān地dì氣qì也yě。

Twenty li to the east lies Mount He (和山). Its summit is without grass or tree but abounds in yao jade and jasper; it is in truth the «ninth capital of the River». This mountain makes five folds; nine rivers rise from it, join and flow north to empty into the River; they abound in dark green jade. The auspicious god Taifeng (泰逢) presides there; he has a human form and a tiger's tail, loves to sojourn on the southern slope of Mount Fu (萯山), and shines in entering and emerging. The god Taifeng sets in motion the breaths of Heaven and Earth.

凡fán萯fù山shān之zhī首shǒu，自zì敖áo岸àn之zhī山shān至zhì于yú和hé山shān，凡fán五wǔ山shān，四sì百bǎi四sì十shí里lǐ。其qí祠cí太tài逢féng、熏xūn池chí、武wǔ羅luó皆jiē一yī牡mǔ羊yáng副fù，嬰yīng用yòng吉jí玉yù。其qí二èr神shén用yòng一yī雄xióng鷄jī瘞yì之zhī，糈xǔ用yòng稌tú。

In all, from Mount Aoan to Mount He, the Fushan range counts five mountains, over four hundred and forty li. For the cult of Taifeng, Xunchi and Wuluo, one offers to each a cloven ram, with the suspension of auspicious jade. For the two other deities, one buries a cock; as sacred grain, one uses glutinous rice (tu 稌).

Fourth Central Classic — 中次四经 (the Lishan range)

《中zhōng次cì四sì經jīng》釐lí山shān之zhī首shǒu，曰yuē鹿lù蹄tí之zhī山shān，其qí上shàng多duō玉yù，其qí下xià多duō金jīn。甘gān水shuǐ出chū焉yān，而ér北běi流liú注zhù于yú洛luò，其qí中zhōng多duō泠líng石shí。

The first mountain of the Fourth Central Classic, the Lishan range, is called Mount Luti (鹿蹄). Its summit abounds in jade, its foot in gold. The Gan River (甘水) rises from it and flows north to empty into the Luo; it abounds in ling stone (泠石).

西xī五wǔ十shí里lǐ，曰yuē扶fú豬zhū之zhī山shān，其qí上shàng多duō礝ruǎn石shí。有yǒu獸shòu焉yān，其qí狀zhuàng如rú貉háo而ér人rén目mù，其qí名míng曰yuē䴦yín。虢guó水shuǐ出chū焉yān，而ér北běi流liú注zhù于yú洛luò，其qí中zhōng多duō瓀ruǎn石shí。

Fifty li to the west lies Mount Fuzhu (扶豬). Its summit abounds in ruan stone (礝石). There is found a beast resembling the raccoon dog (he 貉) but with human eyes, called yin (䴦). The Guo River (虢水) rises from it and flows north to empty into the Luo; it abounds in ruan stone (瓀石).

又yòu西xī一yī百bǎi二èr十shí里lǐ，曰yuē釐lí山shān，其qí陽yáng多duō玉yù，其qí陰yīn多duō蒐sōu。有yǒu獸shòu焉yān，其qí狀zhuàng如rú牛niú，蒼cāng身shēn，其qí音yīn如rú嬰yīng兒ér，是shì食shí人rén，其qí名míng曰yuē犀xī渠qú。滽yōng滽yōng之zhī水shuǐ出chū焉yān，而ér南nán流liú注zhù于yú伊yī水shuǐ。有yǒu獸shòu焉yān，名míng曰yuē𤢺xié，其qí狀zhuàng如rú獳nòu犬quǎn而ér有yǒu鱗lín，其qí毛máo如rú彘zhì鬣liè。

One hundred and twenty li to the west lies Mount Li (釐山). Its southern slope abounds in jade, its northern slope in madder (sou 蒐). There is found a beast resembling the ox, with a dark green body, whose cry is like that of an infant; it devours men and is called xiqu (犀渠). The Yongyong River (滽滽水) rises from it and flows south to empty into the Yi. There is found a beast called yong (𤢺), resembling the snarling dog (nou 獳犬) but covered with scales, with hair like a pig's mane.

又yòu西xī二èr百bǎi里lǐ，曰yuē箕jī尾wěi之zhī山shān，多duō穀gǔ，多duō涂tú石shí，其qí上shàng多duō㻬tū琈fú之zhī玉yù。

Two hundred li to the west lies Mount Jiwei (箕尾). It abounds in paper mulberries and in tu stone (涂石); its summit abounds in tufu jade.

又yòu西xī二èr百bǎi五wǔ十shí里lǐ，曰yuē柄bǐng山shān，其qí上shàng多duō玉yù，其qí下xià多duō銅tóng。滔tāo雕diāo之zhī水shuǐ出chū焉yān，而ér北běi流liú注zhù于yú洛luò。其qí中zhōng多duō羬qián羊yáng。有yǒu木mù焉yān，其qí狀zhuàng如rú樗chū，其qí葉yè如rú桐tóng而ér莢jiá實shí，其qí名míng曰yuē茇bá，可kě以yǐ毒dú魚yú。

Two hundred and fifty li to the west lies Mount Bing (柄山). Its summit abounds in jade, its foot in copper. The Taodiao River (滔雕水) rises from it and flows north to empty into the Luo; it abounds in qian sheep (羬羊). There is found a tree resembling the ailanthus, with paulownia leaves and pod-like fruits, called ba (茇); it is used to poison fish.

又yòu西xī二èr百bǎi里lǐ，曰yuē白bái邊biān之zhī山shān，其qí上shàng多duō金jīn玉yù，其qí下xià多duō青qīng雄xióng黃huáng。

Two hundred li to the west lies Mount Baibian (白邊). Its summit abounds in gold and jade, its foot in green realgar.

又yòu西xī二èr百bǎi里lǐ，曰yuē熊xióng耳ěr之zhī山shān，其qí上shàng多duō漆qī，其qí下xià多duō椶zōng。浮fú濠háo之zhī水shuǐ出chū焉yān，而ér西xī流liú注zhù于yú洛luò，其qí中zhōng多duō水shuǐ玉yù，多duō人rén魚yú。有yǒu草cǎo焉yān，其qí狀zhuàng如rú蘇sū而ér赤chì華huá，名míng曰yuē葶tíng䔭níng，可kě以yǐ毒dú魚yú。

Two hundred li to the west lies Mount Xiong'er (熊耳). Its summit abounds in lacquer trees, its foot in palms. The Fuhao River (浮濠水) rises from it and flows west to empty into the Luo; it abounds in rock crystal and in salamanders (renyu 人魚). There is found a grass resembling the perilla (su 蘇) but with red flowers, called tingning (葶䔭); it is used to poison fish.

又yòu西xī三sān百bǎi里lǐ，曰yuē牡mǔ山shān，其qí上shàng多duō文wén石shí，其qí下xià多duō竹zhú箭jiàn、竹zhú䉋mèi，其qí獸shòu多duō㸲zuò牛niú、羬qián羊yáng，鳥niǎo多duō赤chì鷩biè。

Three hundred li to the west lies Mount Mu (牡山). Its summit abounds in veined stones, its foot in arrow bamboo and in mei bamboo (竹䉋); its beasts are mostly zuoniu and qianyang, its birds mostly red pheasants.

又yòu西xī三sān百bǎi五wǔ十shí里lǐ，曰yuē讙huān舉jǔ之zhī山shān。雒luò水shuǐ出chū焉yān，而ér東dōng北běi流liú注zhù于yú玄xuán扈hù之zhī水shuǐ。其qí中zhōng多duō馬mǎ腸cháng之zhī物wù。此cǐ二èr山shān者zhě，洛luò間jiān也yě。

Three hundred and fifty li to the west lies Mount Huanju (讙舉). The Luo River (雒水) rises from it and flows northeast to empty into the Xuanhu (玄扈水). It abounds in machang creatures (馬腸). These two mounts lie between the banks of the Luo.

凡fán釐lí山shān之zhī首shǒu，自zì鹿lù蹄tí之zhī山shān至zhì于yú玄xuán扈hù之zhī山shān，凡fán九jiǔ山shān，千qiān六liù百bǎi七qī十shí里lǐ。其qí神shén狀zhuàng皆jiē人rén面miàn獸shòu身shēn。其qí祠cí之zhī，毛máo用yòng一yī白bái鷄jī，祈qí而ér不bù糈xǔ，以yǐ彩cǎi衣yī之zhī。

In all, from Mount Luti to Mount Xuanhu, the Lishan range counts nine mountains, over one thousand six hundred and seventy li. Their deities all have a human face and a beast's body. For their cult, one offers a white cock in supplication, without sacred grain, and clothes it in colored fabrics.

Fifth Central Classic — 中次五经 (the Boshan range)

《中zhōng次cì五wǔ經jīng》薄báo山shān之zhī首shǒu，曰yuē苟gǒu床chuáng之zhī山shān，無wú草cǎo木mù，多duō怪guài石shí。

The first mountain of the Fifth Central Classic, the Boshan range, is called Mount Gouchuang (苟床), devoid of grass and trees, abounding in strange stones.

東dōng三sān百bǎi里lǐ，曰yuē首shǒu山shān，其qí陰yīn多duō穀gǔ柞zuò，草cǎo多duō𦬸tuó芫yuán，其qí陽yáng多duō㻬tū琈fú之zhī玉yù，木mù多duō槐huái；其qí陰yīn有yǒu谷gǔ，曰yuē机jī谷gǔ，多duō𩿁yú鳥niǎo，其qí狀zhuàng如rú梟xiāo而ér三sān目mù，有yǒu耳ěr，其qí音yīn如rú錄lù，食shí之zhī已yǐ墊diàn。

Three hundred li to the east lies Mount Shou (首山). Its northern slope abounds in paper mulberries and oaks, its grasses mostly in tuo (𦬸) and yuan (芫); its southern slope abounds in tufu jade, its trees mostly in sophoras (huai 槐). On its northern slope opens a valley named Jigu (机谷), peopled with yu birds (𩿁鳥), resembling the owl but with three eyes and furnished with ears, whose cry is like «lu»; whoever eats them is cured of rheumatism caused by damp.

又yòu東dōng三sān百bǎi里lǐ，曰yuē縣xiàn斸zhú之zhī山shān，無wú草cǎo木mù，多duō文wén石shí。

Three hundred li to the east lies Mount Xuanzhu (縣斸), devoid of grass and trees, abounding in veined stones.

又yòu東dōng三sān百bǎi里lǐ，曰yuē葱cōng聾lóng之zhī山shān，無wú草cǎo木mù，多duō𢈦guǎng石shí。

Three hundred li to the east lies Mount Conglong (葱聾), devoid of grass and trees, abounding in guang stone (𢈦石).

東dōng北běi五wǔ百bǎi里lǐ，曰yuē條tiáo谷gǔ之zhī山shān，其qí木mù多duō槐huái桐tóng，其qí草cǎo多duō芍sháo藥yào、𧄸mén冬dōng。

Five hundred li to the northeast lies Mount Tiaogu (條谷). Its trees are mostly sophoras and paulownias, its grasses mostly peony (shaoyao 芍藥) and mendong (𧄸冬).

又yòu北běi十shí里lǐ，曰yuē超chāo山shān，其qí陰yīn多duō蒼cāng玉yù，其qí陽yáng有yǒu井jǐng，冬dōng有yǒu水shuǐ而ér夏xià竭jié。

Ten li to the north lies Mount Chao (超山). Its northern slope abounds in dark green jade; on its southern slope is a well that has water in winter and dries up in summer.

又yòu東dōng五wǔ百bǎi里lǐ，曰yuē成chéng侯hóu之zhī山shān，其qí上shàng多duō椿chūn木mù，其qí草cǎo多duō芃péng。

Five hundred li to the east lies Mount Chenghou (成侯). Its summit abounds in ailanthus (chun 椿), its grasses mostly in peng (芃).

又yòu東dōng五wǔ百bǎi里lǐ，曰yuē朝cháo歌gē之zhī山shān，谷gǔ多duō美měi堊è。

Five hundred li to the east lies Mount Zhaoge (朝歌); its valleys abound in fine chalk.

又yòu東dōng五wǔ百bǎi里lǐ，曰yuē槐huái山shān，谷gǔ多duō金jīn錫xī。

Five hundred li to the east lies Mount Huai (槐山); its valleys abound in gold and tin.

又yòu東dōng十shí里lǐ，曰yuē歷lì山shān，其qí木mù多duō槐huái，其qí陽yáng多duō玉yù。

Ten li to the east lies Mount Li (歷山). Its trees are mostly sophoras; its southern slope abounds in jade.

又yòu東dōng十shí里lǐ，曰yuē尸shī山shān，多duō蒼cāng玉yù，其qí獸shòu多duō麖jīng。尸shī水shuǐ出chū焉yān，南nán流liú注zhù于yú洛luò水shuǐ，其qí中zhōng多duō美měi玉yù。

Ten li to the east lies Mount Shi (尸山), abounding in dark green jade; its beasts are mostly jing deer (麖). The Shi River (尸水) rises from it and flows south to empty into the Luo; it abounds in fine jade.

又yòu東dōng十shí里lǐ，曰yuē良liáng餘yú之zhī山shān，其qí上shàng多duō穀gǔ柞zuò，無wú石shí。餘yú水shuǐ出chū于yú其qí陰yīn，而ér北běi流liú注zhù于yú河hé；乳rǔ水shuǐ出chū于yú其qí陽yáng，而ér東dōng南nán流liú注zhù于yú洛luò。

Ten li to the east lies Mount Liangyu (良餘). Its summit abounds in paper mulberries and oaks, and is without stone. The Yu River (餘水) rises from its northern slope and flows north to empty into the River; the Ru River (乳水) rises from its southern slope and flows southeast to empty into the Luo.

又yòu東dōng南nán十shí里lǐ，曰yuē蠱gǔ尾wěi之zhī山shān，多duō礪lì石shí、赤chì銅tóng。龍lóng餘yú之zhī水shuǐ出chū焉yān，而ér東dōng南nán流liú注zhù于yú洛luò。

Ten li to the southeast lies Mount Guwei (蠱尾), abounding in whetstone and red copper. The Longyu River (龍餘水) rises from it and flows southeast to empty into the Luo.

又yòu東dōng北běi二èr十shí里lǐ，曰yuē升shēng山shān，其qí木mù多duō穀gǔ柞zuò棘jí，其qí草cǎo多duō藷shǔ藇xù蕙huì，多duō寇kòu脫tuō。黃huáng酸suān之zhī水shuǐ出chū焉yān，而ér北běi流liú注zhù于yú河hé，其qí中zhōng多duō琁xuán玉yù。

Twenty li to the northeast lies Mount Sheng (升山). Its trees are mostly paper mulberries, oaks and thorny jujubes; its grasses mostly yam (shuyu 藷藇), ocimum (hui 蕙) and koutuo (寇脫). The Huangsuan River (黃酸水) rises from it and flows north to empty into the River; it abounds in xuan jade (琁玉).

又yòu東dōng十shí二èr里lǐ，曰yuē陽yáng虛xū之zhī山shān，多duō金jīn，臨lín于yú玄xuán扈hù之zhī水shuǐ。

Twelve li to the east lies Mount Yangxu (陽虛), abounding in gold, on the bank of the Xuanhu River (玄扈水).

凡fán薄báo山shān之zhī首shǒu，自zì苟gǒu林lín之zhī山shān至zhì于yú陽yáng虛xū之zhī山shān，凡fán十shí六liù山shān，二èr千qiān九jiǔ百bǎi八bā十shí二èr里lǐ。升shēng山shān，冢zhǒng也yě。其qí祠cí禮lǐ：太tài牢láo，嬰yīng用yòng吉jí玉yù。首shǒu山shān，䰠shén也yě，其qí祠cí用yòng稌tú、黑hēi犧xī、太tài牢láo之zhī具jù、蘖niè釀niàng；干gàn儛wǔ，置zhì鼓gǔ；嬰yīng用yòng一yī璧bì。尸shī水shuǐ，合hé天tiān也yě，肥féi牲shēng祠cí之zhī，用yòng一yī黑hēi犬quǎn于yú上shàng，用yòng一yī雌cí鷄jī于yú下xià，刉jī一yī牝pìn羊yáng，獻xiàn血xuè。嬰yīng用yòng吉jí玉yù，彩cǎi之zhī，饗xiǎng之zhī。

In all, from Mount Goulin to Mount Yangxu, the Boshan range counts sixteen mountains, over two thousand nine hundred and eighty-two li. Mount Sheng is its sacred hill; the rite of its cult: a great sacrifice (tailao), with the suspension of auspicious jade. Mount Shou shelters a god (shen); for its cult one uses glutinous rice, a black victim, the gear of the great sacrifice and a fermented liquor; one performs a shield dance and sets out drums; one suspends a jade disk (bi). The Shi River communicates with Heaven; one honors it with a fat victim: a black dog on the height, a hen below, and one slaughters a ewe whose blood is offered. One suspends auspicious jade there, adorns it with colors and offers it in feast.

Sixth Central Classic — 中次六经 (the Gaodi range)

《中zhōng次cì六liù經jīng》縞gǎo羝dī山shān之zhī首shǒu，曰yuē平píng逢féng之zhī山shān，南nán望wàng伊yī洛luò，東dōng望wàng穀gǔ城chéng之zhī山shān，無wú草cǎo無wú木mù，水shuǐ多duō沙shā石shí。有yǒu神shén焉yān，其qí狀zhuàng如rú人rén而ér二èr首shǒu，名míng曰yuē驕jiāo蟲chóng，是shì為wèi螫shì蟲chóng，實shí惟wéi蜂fēng蜜mì之zhī廬lú。其qí祠cí之zhī：用yòng一yī雄xióng鷄jī，禳ráng而ér勿wù殺shā。

The first mountain of the Sixth Central Classic, the Gaodi range, is called Mount Pingfeng (平逢). To the south one perceives the Yi and the Luo, to the east Mount Chucheng (穀城); it is devoid of grass and trees, and its waters abound in sand and stones. There is there a god of human aspect but with two heads, called Jiaochong (驕蟲); he is the master of stinging insects: this mountain is in truth the abode of the bees. For its cult, one offers a cock in conjuration, without killing it.

西xī十shí里lǐ，曰yuē縞gǎo羝dī之zhī山shān，無wú草cǎo木mù，多duō金jīn玉yù。

Ten li to the west lies Mount Gaodi (縞羝), devoid of grass and trees, abounding in gold and jade.

又yòu西xī十shí里lǐ，曰yuē廆guī山shān，其qí陰yīn多duō㻬tū琈fú之zhī玉yù。其qí西xī有yǒu谷gǔ焉yān，名míng曰yuē雚guàn谷gǔ，其qí木mù多duō柳liǔ楮chǔ。其qí中zhōng有yǒu鳥niǎo焉yān，狀zhuàng如rú山shān鷄jī而ér長cháng尾wěi，赤chì如rú丹dān火huǒ而ér青qīng喙huì，名míng曰yuē鴒líng䳩qú，其qí鳴míng自zì呼hū，服fú之zhī不bù眯mī。交jiāo觴shāng之zhī水shuǐ出chū于yú其qí陽yáng，而ér南nán流liú注zhù于yú洛luò；俞yú隨suí之zhī水shuǐ出chū于yú其qí陰yīn，而ér北běi流liú注zhù于yú穀gǔ水shuǐ。

Ten li to the west lies Mount Gui (廆山). Its northern slope abounds in tufu jade. To the west opens a valley named Guangu (雚谷), its trees mostly willows and paper mulberries. There is found a bird resembling the mountain pheasant but with a long tail, red as cinnabar fire and with a green beak, called lingqu (鴒䳩); its cry utters its own name; whoever consumes it does not have blurred sight. The Jiaoshang River (交觴水) rises from its southern slope and flows south to empty into the Luo; the Yusui River (俞隨水) rises from its northern slope and flows north to empty into the Gu (穀水).

又yòu西xī三sān十shí里lǐ，曰yuē瞻zhān諸zhū之zhī山shān，其qí陽yáng多duō金jīn，其qí陰yīn多duō文wén石shí。㴬mín水shuǐ出chū焉yān，而ér東dōng南nán流liú注zhù于yú洛luò；少shǎo水shuǐ出chū其qí陰yīn，而ér東dōng流liú注zhù于yú穀gǔ水shuǐ。

Thirty li to the west lies Mount Zhanzhu (瞻諸). Its southern slope abounds in gold, its northern slope in veined stones. The Min River (㴬水) rises from it and flows southeast to empty into the Luo; the Shao River (少水) rises from its northern slope and flows east to empty into the Gu.

又yòu西xī三sān十shí里lǐ，曰yuē婁lóu涿zhuō之zhī山shān，無wú草cǎo木mù，多duō金jīn玉yù。瞻zhān水shuǐ出chū于yú其qí陽yáng，而ér東dōng流liú注zhù于yú洛luò；陂bēi水shuǐ出chū于yú其qí陰yīn，而ér北běi流liú注zhù于yú穀gǔ水shuǐ，其qí中zhōng多duō茈zǐ石shí、文wén石shí。

Thirty li to the west lies Mount Louzhuo (婁涿), devoid of grass and trees, abounding in gold and jade. The Zhan River (瞻水) rises from its southern slope and flows east to empty into the Luo; the Bei River (陂水) rises from its northern slope and flows north to empty into the Gu; it abounds in zi stone (茈石) and in veined stones.

又yòu西xī四sì十shí里lǐ，曰yuē白bái石shí之zhī山shān，惠huì水shuǐ出chū于yú其qí陽yáng，而ér南nán流liú注zhù于yú洛luò，其qí中zhōng多duō水shuǐ玉yù。澗jiàn水shuǐ出chū于yú其qí陰yīn，西xī北běi流liú注zhù于yú穀gǔ水shuǐ，其qí中zhōng多duō麋mí石shí、櫨lú丹dān。

Forty li to the west lies Mount Baishi (白石). The Hui River (惠水) rises from its southern slope and flows south to empty into the Luo; it abounds in rock crystal. The Jian River (澗水) rises from its northern slope and flows northwest to empty into the Gu; it abounds in mi stone (麋石) and in ludan cinnabar (櫨丹).

又yòu西xī五wǔ十shí里lǐ，曰yuē穀gǔ山shān，其qí上shàng多duō穀gǔ，其qí下xià多duō桑sāng。爽shuǎng水shuǐ出chū焉yān，而ér西xī北běi流liú注zhù于yú穀gǔ水shuǐ，其qí中zhōng多duō碧bì綠lǜ。

Fifty li to the west lies Mount Gu (穀山). Its summit abounds in paper mulberries, its foot in mulberries. The Shuang River (爽水) rises from it and flows northwest to empty into the Gu; it abounds in malachite (bilü 碧綠).

又yòu西xī七qī十shí二èr里lǐ，曰yuē密mì山shān，其qí陽yáng多duō玉yù，其qí陰yīn多duō鐵tiě。豪háo水shuǐ出chū焉yān，而ér南nán流liú注zhù于yú洛luò，其qí中zhōng多duō旋xuán龜guī，其qí狀zhuàng鳥niǎo首shǒu而ér鱉biē尾wěi，其qí音yīn如rú判pàn木mù。無wú草cǎo木mù。

Seventy-two li to the west lies Mount Mi (密山). Its southern slope abounds in jade, its northern slope in iron. The Hao River (豪水) rises from it and flows south to empty into the Luo; it abounds in xuangui turtles (旋龜), with a bird's head and a soft-shelled turtle's tail, whose cry is like the cracking of split wood. The mount is without grass or tree.

又yòu西xī百bǎi里lǐ，曰yuē長cháng石shí之zhī山shān，無wú草cǎo木mù，多duō金jīn玉yù。其qí西xī有yǒu谷gǔ焉yān，名míng曰yuē共gòng谷gǔ，多duō竹zhú。共gòng水shuǐ出chū焉yān，西xī南nán流liú注zhù于yú洛luò，其qí中zhōng多duō鳴míng石shí。

One hundred li to the west lies Mount Changshi (長石), devoid of grass and trees, abounding in gold and jade. To the west opens a valley named Honggu (共谷), rich in bamboo. The Gong River (共水) rises from it and flows southwest to empty into the Luo; it abounds in «singing stones» (mingshi 鳴石).

又yòu西xī一yī百bǎi四sì十shí里lǐ，曰yuē傅fù山shān，無wú草cǎo木mù，多duō瑤yáo碧bì。厭yàn染rǎn之zhī水shuǐ出chū于yú其qí陽yáng，而ér南nán流liú注zhù于yú洛luò，其qí中zhōng多duō人rén魚yú。其qí西xī有yǒu林lín焉yān，名míng曰yuē墦fán冢zhǒng。穀gǔ水shuǐ出chū焉yān，而ér東dōng流liú注zhù于yú洛luò，其qí中zhōng多duō珚yān玉yù。

One hundred and forty li to the west lies Mount Fu (傅山), devoid of grass and trees, abounding in yao jade and jasper. The Yanran River (厭染水) rises from its southern slope and flows south to empty into the Luo; it abounds in salamanders. To the west extends a forest named Fanzhong (墦冢). The Gu River (穀水) rises from it and flows east to empty into the Luo; it abounds in yan jade (珚玉).

又yòu西xī五wǔ十shí里lǐ，曰yuē橐tuó山shān，其qí木mù多duō樗chū，多duō𣖾yù木mù，其qí陽yáng多duō金jīn玉yù，其qí陰yīn多duō鐵tiě，多duō蕭xiāo。橐tuó水shuǐ出chū焉yān，而ér北běi流liú注zhù于yú河hé。其qí中zhōng多duō脩xiū辟pì之zhī魚yú，狀zhuàng如rú黽měng而ér白bái喙huì，其qí音yīn如rú鴟chī，食shí之zhī已yǐ白bái癬xuǎn。

Fifty li to the west lies Mount Tuo (橐山). Its trees are mostly ailanthus (chu 樗) and yu (𣖾木); its southern slope abounds in gold and jade, its northern slope in iron, and it abounds in mugwort (xiao 蕭). The Tuo River (橐水) rises from it and flows north to empty into the River; it abounds in xiupi fish (脩辟), resembling the frog but with a white beak, whose cry is like that of the kite; whoever eats them is cured of ringworm.

又yòu西xī九jiǔ十shí里lǐ，曰yuē常cháng烝zhēng之zhī山shān，無wú草cǎo木mù，多duō堊è。潐jiào水shuǐ出chū焉yān，而ér東dōng北běi流liú注zhù于yú河hé，其qí中zhōng多duō蒼cāng玉yù。菑zī水shuǐ出chū焉yān，而ér北běi流liú注zhù于yú河hé。

Ninety li to the west lies Mount Changzheng (常烝), devoid of grass and trees, abounding in chalk. The Jiao River (潐水) rises from it and flows northeast to empty into the River; it abounds in dark green jade. The Zi River (菑水) rises from it and flows north to empty into the River.

又yòu西xī九jiǔ十shí里lǐ，曰yuē夸kuā父fù之zhī山shān，其qí木mù多duō椶zōng柟nán，多duō竹zhú箭jiàn，其qí獸shòu多duō㸲zuò牛niú、羬qián羊yáng，其qí鳥niǎo多duō鷩biè，其qí陽yáng多duō玉yù，其qí陰yīn多duō鐵tiě。其qí北běi有yǒu林lín焉yān，名míng曰yuē桃táo林lín，是shì廣guǎng員yuán三sān百bǎi里lǐ，其qí中zhōng多duō馬mǎ。湖hú水shuǐ出chū焉yān，而ér北běi流liú注zhù于yú河hé，其qí中zhōng多duō珚yān玉yù。

Ninety li to the west lies Mount Kuafu (夸父). Its trees are mostly palms and nanmu, with much arrow bamboo; its beasts are mostly zuoniu and qianyang, its birds mostly pheasants; its southern slope abounds in jade, its northern slope in iron. To the north extends a forest named Taolin (桃林, the «Forest of Peaches»), three hundred li around, peopled with horses. The Hu River (湖水) rises from it and flows north to empty into the River; it abounds in yan jade (珚玉).

又yòu西xī九jiǔ十shí里lǐ，曰yuē陽yáng華huá之zhī山shān，其qí陽yáng多duō金jīn玉yù，其qí陰yīn多duō青qīng雄xióng黃huáng，其qí草cǎo多duō藷shǔ藇xù，多duō苦kǔ辛xīn，其qí狀zhuàng如rú橚sù，其qí實shí如rú瓜guā，其qí味wèi酸suān甘gān，食shí之zhī已yǐ瘧nüè。楊yáng水shuǐ出chū焉yān，而ér西xī南nán流liú注zhù于yú洛luò，其qí中zhōng多duō人rén魚yú。門mén水shuǐ出chū焉yān，而ér東dōng北běi流liú注zhù于yú河hé，其qí中zhōng多duō玄xuán䃤sù。𦁎tāo姑gū之zhī水shuǐ出chū于yú其qí陰yīn，而ér東dōng流liú注zhù于yú門mén水shuǐ，其qí上shàng多duō銅tóng。門mén水shuǐ至zhì于yú河hé，七qī百bǎi九jiǔ十shí里lǐ入rù雒luò水shuǐ。

Ninety li to the west lies Mount Yanghua (陽華). Its southern slope abounds in gold and jade, its northern slope in green realgar; its grasses mostly yam (shuyu 藷藇) and kuxin (苦辛), resembling the qiu (橚), with a fruit like the melon, of sweet-sour savor; whoever eats it is cured of malaria. The Yang River (楊水) rises from it and flows southwest to empty into the Luo; it abounds in salamanders. The Men River (門水) rises from it and flows northeast to empty into the River; it abounds in black stone (xuanpei 玄䃤). The Taogu River (𦁎姑水) rises from its northern slope and flows east to empty into the Men; its upper course abounds in copper. The Men, as far as the River, runs seven hundred and ninety li before rejoining the Luo.

凡fán縞gǎo羝dī山shān之zhī首shǒu，自zì平píng逢féng之zhī山shān至zhì于yú陽yáng華huá之zhī山shān，凡fán十shí四sì山shān，七qī百bǎi九jiǔ十shí里lǐ。嶽yuè在zài其qí中zhōng，以yǐ六liù月yuè祭jì之zhī，如rú諸zhū嶽yuè之zhī祠cí法fǎ，則zé天tiān下xià安ān寧níng。

In all, from Mount Pingfeng to Mount Yanghua, the Gaodi range counts fourteen mountains, over seven hundred and ninety li. A Sacred Peak (yue) is found there; it is sacrificed to in the sixth month, according to the rite of the Sacred Peaks: then the empire knows peace.

Notes

Place in the work. The 中山经 closes the «Five Classics of the Mountains» (South, West, North, East, Center). It is the most extensive and the most «geographical»: its mounts correspond in part to real reliefs of the Yellow River (河) and Luo (洛) basin. Because of its length, it is presented here in two pages; this is the first (ranges 1 to 6).

Deities and rites. The Center teems with named gods and detailed rituals: Xunchi, Wuluo (with a human face and panther markings), Taifeng («who sets in motion the breaths of Heaven and Earth»), Jiaochong (master of the bees). The colophons describe varied offerings: the great sacrifice tailao, the «mulberry seal» (sangfeng), the shield dance, the suspension of jade.

Southern slope / northern slope (其阳 / 其阴). 阳 (yáng) = the sunlit slope (south); 阴 (yīn) = the shaded slope (north).

Recurring formulas. «Whoever eats / consumes it…» (食之 / 服之) introduces medicinal virtues; «when it appears…» (见则) marks omen-creatures (drought, flood); «its cry utters its own name» (其鸣自呼). The «fish poison» (可以毒鱼) designates ichthyotoxic plants used for fishing.

Uncertain identifications. Many names of plants, minerals and creatures have no assured equivalent; they are transcribed in pinyin with the characters, the English renderings following the traditional glosses (Guo Pu, Hao Yixing).

Chinese text after the Chinese Text Project (ctext.org). Translation and notes: Chine-culture.com.