Xu Hun

Xu Hun (許渾) (c. 791 – c. 858), also known as Xu Ding (許丁), was a late Tang Dynasty Chinese poet. He is best known for his landscape poetry, particularly those works depicting the scenery of the south of the Yangtze River.

Xu Hun was born in Runzhou (潤州), present-day Zhenjiang, Jiangsu province. He passed the jinshi examination late in life, around the age of fifty. He served in several minor government posts, including positions in Xuanzhou (宣州), present-day Xuancheng, Anhui province, and in the capital, Chang'an.

Xu Hun's poetry is characterized by its descriptive language, evoking vivid images of nature. He often wrote about mountains, rivers, and the changing seasons. His poems display a melancholy tone, reflecting his dissatisfaction with his official career and a longing for a simpler life.

His works are included in the Three Hundred Tang Poems anthology, ensuring his continued recognition. He is considered one of the significant poets of the late Tang period, bridging the gap between the High Tang and the more introspective poetry of the later Tang. His poetry influenced later generations of Chinese poets.