Places

Quick-Links: A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | X | Y | Z

Key Locations List

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B

Boundless Jade Wall, The (Wu2 Liang4 Yu4 Bi4 无量玉壁) - a huge rock with a surface so flat, smooth, white and mirror- like that one could see the strands of his own hair reflected on it. Located on the White Dragon Peak on the Boundless Mountain; not a true piece of jade despite its name (Chapter 1, according to Zuo Zimu). Initially thought by Duan Yu to be the huge mirror-like cliff on the right of the waterfall that fed the Lake of Swords, but later turned out to be a much smaller vine-covered rock surface -- located opposite the cliff --that had the smoothness and sheen of a bronze mirror. Became as shiny and clear as jade after the vines were removed and the rock-face scrubbed. When the moon shone from the south-west, the silhouette of a person standing between the two rock-faces was first cast on to the smaller 'mirror', before being reflected on to the larger one (Chapter 2).

Boundless Mountain (Wu2 Liang4 Shan1 无量山) - a mountain in the former Nanzhao territory of Dali; location of The Boundless Sword (Chapter 1).

C

Central Region, The (Zhong1 Yuan2 中原) - The event 'Shaming of Duan Zhengchun' that was organised by Zhong Wanchou was attended by individuals from the realm of the rivers and lakes of the Central Region (Chapter 9).

Crossing of Benevolent People, The (Shan4 Ren2 Du1 善人渡) - a suspension bridge across Lancang River that was made of four iron cables; the two lower cables had wooden planks on them while the two upper cables functioned as railings (Chapter 2).

G

Great Snow Mountain (Da4 Xue3 Shan1 大雪山) - the place where the Great Enlightened Lord of the Wheel Jiumozhi came from (Chapter 10).

J

Jiangnan 江南 - literally "south of the River"; refers to an area in the lower Changjiang (Long River) valley, including southern Jiangsu and Anhui, as well as northern Zhejiang in modern-day China (Chapter 3).

L

Lake of Swords (Jian4 Hu2 剑湖) - a elliptically-shaped lake with incredibly clear water at the foot of the Boundless Jade Wall, with a ravine to its west; about three li (1.5 km) in circumference (a little less than 500 metres in diameter). Fed by a large waterfall that looked like a big jade dragon, but never seemed to fill up. The surface of the lake was as flat as a mirror, once it was at least ten zhang (33.33 metres) away from the foot of the waterfall. Its water tasted unusually sweet and refreshing (Chapter 2).

Lake Tai (Tai4 Hu2 太湖) - a huge lake in Jiangsu Province 江苏省. Visitors had to travel by boat across Lake Tai to get to the Little House of Zither Melodies. Had many bays and branching streams that were filled with lotuses, zizania latifolia and other water plants (Chapter 11).

Lancang River (Lan2 Cang1 Jiang1 澜沧江) - a river in Yunnan. Some members from The Boundless Sword and the Society of Divine Farmers were killed in a scuffle there. Zhong Ling's home was located on its western bank (Chapter 1). Had a small opening on its bank that led into the room of the White Jade Statue in the Boundless Cavern (Chapter 2).

Luoyang (Luo4 Yang2 洛阳) - one of the four great capital cities of ancient China; known for its historical and cultural significance. Murong Fu went to Luoyang to meet with the leaders of the Beggars' Gang (Chapter 12).

M

Misty Peak (Piao1 Miao3 Feng1 缥缈峰) - the location of the Palace of the Gifted Vulture (Chapter 1).

Mount Diancang (Dian3 Cang1 Shan1 点苍山) - literally 'The Mountain that Touches Heaven'; located in Dali. The Temple of the Celestial Dragon is found to the north of the Centre Peak of this mountain (Chapter 10).

P

Palace of the Gifted Vulture (Ling2 Jiu4 Gong1 灵鹫宫) - the headquarters of an organisation with the same name; located on Misty Peak (Chapter 1).

Palace of the Lake of Swords (Jian4 Hu1 Gong1 剑湖宫) - the home of the leader of The Boundless Sword; located on the Boundless Mountain (Chapter 1).

Pass of the Tiger's Enclosure, The (Hu3 Lao2 Guan1 虎牢关) - a mountain pass in the present-day Henan Province 河南省; best-known historically as the site of the most critical battle in the unification of the Tang Dynasty (in 621 A.D.). The place where Guo Yanzhi came from (Chapter 9).

Q

Qingcheng Mountains, The (Qing1 Cheng2 Shan1 青城山) - literally, the "Mountains of the Green City"; a key place for the study of Taoism that is located in Sichuan Province. Its forests stay green throughout the year, hence its name. The School of the Green Mountains was located here (Chapter 13).

S

Sea of Constellations, The (Xing1 Xiu4 Hai3 星宿海) - the place where Old Queer Ding Chunqiu came from (Chapter 9).

Sea of Er, The (Er3 Hai3 洱海 or Er3 Shui3 洱水) - actually a large lake in Dali; located near Mount Diancang. The Temple of the Celestial Dragon faces this lake (Chapter 10).

Suzhou (Gu1 Su1 姑苏 or Su1 Zhou1 苏州) - a city on the banks of Lake Tai 太湖 in the Province of Jiangsu 江苏省; known as 'Gusu' (Gu1 Su1 姑苏) in the old days. The place where the woman Wang, whom Mu Wanqing went to kill, lived (Chapter 3). The place where the Murong Family lived (Chapter 9).

T

Tufan (Tu3 Fan1 Guo2 吐蕃国) - the name of the Tibetan regime during the ancient days of China; the land (country) where Jiumozhi served as the 'Lord of the Laws of Buddhism and Protector of the Country'. Stronger than Dali in terms of military might (Chapter 10).

W

Western Regions, The (Xi1 Yu4 西域) - narrowly defined as the area to the west of the Pass of the Jade Gate (Yu4 Men2 Guan1 玉门关) and the Pass of Positivity (Yang2 Guan2 阳关), and to the east of the Scallion Ridge (Cong1 Ling3 葱岭), between the present-day Sea of Balkans and the territory of Xinjiang 新疆; or broadly defined to include the areas above and extend all the way across Central Asia and into the Indian Peninsula. Jiumozhi gave lectures that were attended by eminent monks and virtuous individuals from various places in the Western Regions and India once every five years (Chapter 10).

White Dragon Peak (Bai2 Long2 Feng1 白龙峰) - one of the peaks of the Boundless Mountain; the location of the Boundless Jade Wall (Chapter 1, according to Zuo Zimu).

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Key Locations List