Meishan's history is inseparable from the Su family. During the Northern Song Dynasty (960-1127), this small Sichuan city produced three literary giants whose works shaped Chinese literature for a millennium.
Su Xun (1009-1066), the father, was known for his forceful prose and political essays. His two sons, Su Shi (Su Dongpo) and Su Zhe, surpassed even his fame. Su Shi passed the imperial examination in 1057 at age 20, launching a career that spanned poetry, calligraphy, painting, and government service.
Su Shi's life alternated between high office and bitter exile. During exiles to Huangzhou, Huizhou, and Danzhou, he produced his greatest literary works. His optimism and creativity in adversity became legendary. He invented dishes, designed architecture, and wrote poetry wherever he went — embodying the ideal of finding beauty in hardship.
After Su Shi's death in 1101, his fame only grew. The Three Su Temple was built on his family home in the 14th century and expanded through subsequent dynasties.
In modern times, Meishan was established as a prefecture-level city in 1997, carved out of Leshan. The city has embraced its literary heritage while developing modern industries and tourism.