This poem praises the purity and elegance of wine, the warmth of the host, and expresses the poet's carefree and unrestrained spirit. It also reflects the prosperity of society during the Tang Dynasty.
Depicting the sadness of farewell and the homesickness of being a guest in a foreign land is a common theme in ancient poetry. However, although this poem is titled "Traveling," it expresses a different feeling. "The fragrant aroma of the wine of Lanling, golden and resplendent in a jade bowl." Lanling, the place of the guest, but by connecting it with wine, it sweeps away the depressing feeling of being in a foreign land, and brings a charming feeling. The famous wine of Lanling is made by fermenting with fragrant herbs, rich in aroma, and served in a crystal-clear jade bowl, like a brilliant amber. The poet's joyful and excited feelings in front of the wine can be imagined.
"But the host can make the guest drunk, not knowing where his hometown is." These two lines of poetry can be said to be both intentional and unintentional. It is intentional because it conforms to the natural trend of description and emotional development; it is unintentional because the title "Traveling" of the poem seems to suggest writing about homesickness, but in Li Bai's pen, it is completely another expression. This makes the poem particularly intriguing. The poet is not unaware that he is in his hometown, of course, nor is he in the least bit unmindful of his hometown. However, all of these are overwhelmed by the wine of Lanling. A wandering and unmindful emotion, even a willingness to enjoy oneself and get drunk in the company of friends, completely dominates him. From being a guest, to being happy without realizing it as his hometown, is what makes this poem different from other works about exile.
The whole poem is full of strange and vivid imagery, fully expressing Li Bai's carefree and unrestrained personality, and reflecting the atmosphere of the Tang Dynasty from one aspect.
