The Qi native Xu Fu petitioned that three immortal mountains — Penglai, Fangzhang, Yingzhou — lay in the eastern sea. Qin Shi Huang dispatched him with thousands of boys and girls to seek the immortals. After years without result, he claimed a giant sea monster blocked him, then sailed again and "settled on a broad plain, becoming king and not returning."
Account
The Qi native Xu Fu petitioned that three immortal mountains — Penglai, Fangzhang, Yingzhou — lay in the eastern sea, inhabited by immortals. Qin Shi Huang dispatched him with thousands of boys and girls to seek the immortals. After several years without result, Xu Fu claimed a giant sea monster blocked his way. He sailed again, and "found a broad plain and fertile marshland, settled there as king, and did not return." The Records of the Three Kingdoms states he reached Danzhou (possibly Japan) and stayed.
Contested
⚠️ Historical dispute: The historicity of Xu Fu's voyage is debated. Proposed destinations include Japan, Taiwan, and even the Americas; no consensus exists.
Sources
- Records of the Grand Historian, "Basic Annals of Qin Shi Huang"
- Records of the Three Kingdoms, "Wu Shu"