裨海紀遊

A wandering scholar sets out from his home in the spring of 1621, tracing a circuit through Fujian’s rugged coast—from the bustling ports of Jian‑ning and Yan‑jin to the remote fishing villages of Long‑yan and Ning‑yang. His careful notes blend vivid landscape sketches with spontaneous verses, capturing mist‑shrouded rivers, towering cliffs of iron rock, and the quiet rhythm of village life. The narrative feels like a living map, each step marked by the scent of wheat fields, the echo of temple bells, and the rustle of ancient banyan groves.

The journey then turns maritime, as he joins a modest fleet to cross the strait toward the newly‑claimed island of Taiwan. He describes the capricious winds, perilous shoals, and the stark beauty of the Penghu archipelago, while observing the island’s indigenous inhabitants and their simple, sea‑dependent way of life. Through poetry and dialogue with fellow travelers, the account offers a rare glimpse of early Chinese encounters with a land still largely unknown to the mainland.