Read Poetry: Chinese Poems

100 Tang and Song poems read aloud, with pinyin and English notes for families. All features available at no charge.

Read Poetry (读诗) brings 100 timeless Chinese poems to life — crafted for overseas Chinese families and anyone discovering the beauty of classical verse.

Whether you want to immerse your child in Tang poetry at bedtime, explore Mandarin through classical literature, or reconnect with the cultural heritage you grew up with, 读诗 meets you where you are.

100 Classic Poems, Beautifully Presented

The collection centers on the Tang and Song dynasties — from Li Bai's moonlit wanderings to Su Shi's reflections on the East Wind — while also including selected works from other periods. Each poem is presented with clear reading and listening tools for learners and returning readers.

Warm Recitation Audio

Each poem is read aloud in a warm, unhurried style — the kind of reading that makes words settle into memory. Background music lowers during narration and returns after the current poem's selected playback sequence finishes.

Deep Bilingual Understanding

Every poem includes:

• Modern Chinese paraphrase
• English translation
• Imagery and poetic analysis
• Author biography
• Historical and cultural context
• Audio narration for each analysis section

Designed for Daily Listening

• Pinyin overlay for poems whose pronunciation data aligns with the displayed text
• Adjustable playback speed (0.8× to 1.2×)
• Continuous play through your chosen queue
• Single-poem loop for memorisation
• Sleep timer — stops after 15, 30 or 60 minutes

Organise Your Study

Save poems to Favourites. Build custom Playlists for class preparation, weekly family listening, or your own study plan.

Calm, Classical Aesthetic

Designed to feel like reading from an ancient Chinese scroll: warm rice-paper tones, vermillion accents, ink-black text. Reading and listening feel unhurried and intentional.

Simple, Honest Pricing

All 100 poems, analysis, and audio are completely free. A voluntary one-time support purchase removes banner ads. No subscription.

Perfect For

• Overseas Chinese parents teaching children classical poetry
• Heritage language learners reconnecting with Mandarin
• Students preparing for Chinese language or culture examinations
• Anyone who loves the sound and meaning of classical Chinese verse