The works of the great Chinese poet Li Bai, which were studied by large number of works of scientists and admirers of ancient Chinese poetry of the 8th century, are considered. The material involves translations from Chinese made by Russian poets-translators such as A. I. Gitovich, Yu. K. Shchutsky, E. V. Balashov, S. A. Toroptsev, etc. Comparative analysis of Russian translations of the poetic works by Li Bai “Sitting Lonely in the Mountains of Tintinan” and “White Heron” is presented in light of the problem of interpretation of meanings and images. The author comments on the semantic differences between interlinear and literary translations. The system of figurative means in original works and their translations is analyzed. It is noted that often the compositional, plot and image basis of the original is radically changed in the translation interpretation. The author sees the reason for this not in the absence of linguistic correspondences and the difficulty of translation, but in the level of measure and talent of the authors of published interpretations. The author of the article offers his own version of the translation of Li Bai’s poem “Sitting Lonely in the Mountains of Tintinan.” The question of studying the poetry of the East at literature lessons at school is raised, since reading poetry, including Oriental authors, contributes to the development of creative thinking of students.