The Springtime Murmurs by Lushui Lake

March 25, 2026

The Springtime Murmurs by Lushui Lake

A Record of the Final Chapter of a Homecoming Trip and the Encounter with Fangshiwan Bridge

On the second day of the Lunar New Year, the warm spring sun shone outside the window, yet a trace of melancholy for departure welled up in my heart—tomorrow, I must bid farewell to my homeland and head south to Guangdong. Before leaving, we resolved to visit the Fangshiwan Bridge, situated in the Luoshui Lake National Wetland Park, to serve as the deliberate conclusion to this brief homecoming journey. Starting from our village nestled by the mountains, the forty-minute drive was just enough time for one to gather their thoughts.

We drove along Provincial Highway 214, winding our way forward. Outside the car window were the familiar, lush green mountain forests, radiating an untamed vitality. Simple farmhouses, one after another, seemed to have organically sprung from the mountainside—they bore the profound mark of the soil. Rolling down the window, the raw, lingering cold wind carried the fresh scent of soil, a unique aroma of spring, moist with the breath of hope.

After passing through Hongxia Village, the view suddenly opened up. The Juan River, like a silver ribbon, cut across the landscape, eventually merging into Luoshui Lake before surging onward to the vast Yangtze River. It was the dry season, the riverbed exposed, the water flowing gently. Fisherman's cages were half-submerged and half-revealed, patiently awaiting a good haul. Along the riverbank, green grass carpeted the ground, setting the primary color of spring. A few water buffaloes grazed leisurely in the distance; they are the most loyal companions of this land, and their tranquility is almost enough to melt one's heart.

We parked the car and decided to cross the bridge in the most unassuming way—on foot—to reach the natural meadow beneath it. Walking on the bridge deck, one feels suspended in mid-air, granted a commanding view of the lake and river below.

To the right of the river channel is a sheer wall of rock, weathered by wind and frost, silent and unmoving. An adventurous young man was scaling the side, searching for something on the cliff face; another angler sat peacefully on the slope beneath the rock wall, his figure blending with the water surface, waiting for that unspoken understanding with nature.

Despite the low-water season, the river surface remained broad, the water shimmering and inspiring awe. Suddenly, an egret, a snow-white figure, gracefully skimmed across the azure water. That fleeting moment of pure spirit was breathtakingly beautiful.

Looking out, the expansive green meadow beneath the bridge was a tapestry interwoven with cars, travelers, and cattle, forming a seamlessly natural painting, where humanity and nature reached a perfect unity and harmony.

Gazing upwards, an eagle spread its wings and soared high, circling above the bridge like a majestic king surveying its territory, free and bold. Looking further to the distant mountains, the dried-out groves of nan-bamboo, with their branches shaped like aged, silvery hair, added a touch of vicissitude and antiquity to the indigo-green peaks.

Finally, we stepped onto the meadow beneath the bridge, making zero-distance contact with the lake water. In a tranquil small pond, a long-unseen flock of diving birds was playing. They would collectively plunge beneath the surface, exploring the secrets of the lake bottom; then reappear, chasing each other merrily, a vibrant scene that made one marvel at the wonder of life.

Under the warm spring sun, some drove off-road vehicles, leaving trails on the grass, while others strolled in small groups along the riverbank, where the scents of fresh grass and damp earth mingled. They were savoring this precious leisure time, enjoying the gifts bestowed by the earth.

As dusk approached, we saw a red parachute firework hanging in the treetop, silently telling the stories and celebrations of the previous night. And the unremarkable stones scattered along the riverbank lay quietly, having witnessed the passage of time and stories more ancient than human history.

This spring day in Fangshiwan is not merely a visual feast; it is a cleansing of the soul. It allows one to reconnect with the immensity of nature and the simplicity of life, stirring a deeper love and attachment for this cherished land.

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