Dēng Guàn Què Lóu (登鹳雀楼) – A Chinese Poem Explained for Learners
Climbing the Stork Tower
By Wáng Zhīhuàn (王之涣) • Tang Dynasty (618–907 CE)
Dēng Guàn Què Lóu (登鹳雀楼) is one of the most celebrated Chinese poems, famous for its profound philosophical message about the value of climbing higher to see further.
This poem uses the simple act of climbing a tower to express a universal truth: to gain broader perspective, we must elevate ourselves.
"The white sun sets behind the mountains."
"If you want to see a thousand miles further."
"Climb one more level of the tower."
All unique characters in the poem, sorted by appearance. Click any character to learn its stroke order.
Some sounds in this poem can be tricky for English speakers. Here are tips for the hardest characters:
The 'yi' sound is a pure 'ee' with first tone (high flat). Keep your tongue flat and lips spread.
The 'q' is like 'ch' but with tongue touching the roof. 'iong' sounds like 'ee-ong' with rising tone (2nd tone).
The 'c' is like 'ts' in 'cats'. 'eng' sounds like 'ung' in 'sung'. Second tone rises smoothly.
Simple 'low' sound with rising tone (2nd tone). The 'ou' is like 'oh' in 'go'.
Wang Zhihuan
王之涣 (Wáng Zhīhuàn) • 688–742 CE
"Master of Frontier Poetry (边塞诗人)"
- One of the 'Four Talents of Bianzhou' (边塞四杰)
- Only six of his poems survive, but they are all masterpieces
- Known for his powerful, expansive style and philosophical depth
- This poem is considered one of the greatest in Chinese literature
- His works often feature grand landscapes and profound insights
Early 8th century CE, during the prosperous High Tang period
Guanque Tower (鹳雀楼) in Puzhou (蒲州), present-day Yongji, Shanxi Province
Written after climbing the famous Guanque Tower, which overlooked the Yellow River and offered spectacular views
This poem has become a Chinese proverb meaning 'to see further, climb higher' — a metaphor for continuous self-improvement and seeking broader perspectives.
The Philosophy of Climbing Higher
This poem has become deeply embedded in Chinese culture, representing:
- Continuous improvement
The phrase '更上一层楼' (climb one more level) is now a common idiom meaning 'to strive for higher achievement' or 'to keep improving'.
- Seeking broader perspective
The poem teaches that to see further and understand more, one must elevate oneself through learning, experience, or effort.
- The value of effort
The magnificent view (sun setting, river flowing) is only fully appreciated from a higher vantage point, symbolizing that greater rewards come from greater effort.
This poem is often quoted in educational contexts, business settings, and personal development discussions. It reminds people that progress requires continuous effort and that the best views come from the highest places.
Practice Writing These Characters
Generate a free printable worksheet with all 20 unique characters from this poem. Practice stroke order with our guided worksheets.
Generate Worksheet (20 Characters)Or explore each character individually:
What is the meaning of Dēng Guàn Què Lóu (登鹳雀楼)?
Who wrote the poem 登鹳雀楼?
What is Guanque Tower (鹳雀楼)?
What is the deeper meaning of the poem?
Why is this poem so famous in China?
What does '欲穷千里目，更上一层楼' mean?
Final Thoughts
This poem shows how powerful simplicity can be. With just twenty characters, Wang Zhihuan creates a complete sensory world.
If you are learning Chinese characters, exploring poems like this can help you see how characters live beyond dictionaries — inside real emotions and real moments.