History records the Chinese emperor Qin Shi Huang as sending the alchemist Xu Fu eastwards towards Japan on a quest for the elixir of immortality. However, the ancient texts make no mention of any similar expedition heading west.
But according to a state media report, findings by Chinese archaeologists suggest that a western expedition for the “elixir of life” may indeed have been launched during the reign of Qin Shi Huang.
The June 8 report in Guangming Daily refers to a 37-character cliff inscription high on the Tibetan Plateau, near Zhaling Lake in Qinghai province. It was discovered in 2020 by Chinese archaeologists conducting field research on the northern shore of the lake, the report said.
The discovery has been hailed in some quarters as potentially rewriting history. But leading scholars have reacted with fierce scepticism, questioning the claim’s authenticity and viability while reigniting ancient debates about Kunlun’s true location and fuelling accusations of potential forgery.
