About Li Zhiyi
Lived 1048 – 1117 (aged 68–69). Li Zhiyi was a Chinese poet.
Li Zhiyi (; born Wudi County, Shandong; c. 1048–1127) courtesy name Duanshu was a Song dynasty Chinese poet.
He married Hu Shuxiu (; 1047–1105) and passed the imperial examinations in 1070 with a jinshi degree. He became a disciple and part of the Yuanyou circle that included Su Shi.
Busuanzi Li's best known work, the Busuanzi (; 'Song of Divination') expresses longing in a direct and flowing way. It was included in the poetry collection 300 Song Ci . 中文English Translation我住長江頭 君住長江尾 日日思君不見君 共飲長江水
此水幾時休 此恨何時已 只願君心似我心 定不負相思意I live where the Long River starts, And you live where the Long River ends. Day after day I dream of you, though you’re not in view— We both drink from the same stream.
When will this river finally come to rest? When will this sorrow finally set me free? If only your heart were like my heart, I would not betray this longing we share.
Popular Culture Its first verse is referenced in the science fiction The Three-Body Problem.
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Important facts
People in Li Zhiyi's life
Named in this biography and alive at the same time
Contemporaries
People whose lives overlapped Li Zhiyi's
Frequently asked questions
Who was Li Zhiyi?
Song dynasty poet
When was Li Zhiyi born?
Li Zhiyi was born in 1048.
When did Li Zhiyi die?
Li Zhiyi died in 1117.
What was Li Zhiyi's occupation?
Li Zhiyi was a poet.
What nationality was Li Zhiyi?
Li Zhiyi was Chinese.
Sources & further reading
Cite this page
APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Li Zhiyi. https://biography.guide/li-zhiyi/
MLA: "Li Zhiyi." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/li-zhiyi/.
Chicago: "Li Zhiyi." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/li-zhiyi/.
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