Abstract: The hometown complex of Chang Yao was initially an emotional longing for hometown and family. After returning, Chang Yao welcomed the improvement of his living conditions, and Qinghai became his second hometown. His hometown complex sublimated from the emotional homesickness to the spiritual contemplation, and he constructed his own spiritual homeland. In the process of transforming from emotion to spirit, the meaning of survival was amplified, and his homesickness changed from the initial attachment for a place to a metaphysical life experience. Therefore, Chang Yao's hometown complex was not limited to emotional attachment for one place, but consisted of three levels: the first level was homesickness for his first hometown; the second level was guarding and constructing the spiritual homeland after experiencing twists and turns, which was to pay homage to his spiritual ideals; the third level was philosophical homesickness, which was the ultimate concern for the essence of life and the hometown of life from a metaphysical perspective.

Key words: Chang Yao, poetry creation, hometown complex, homesickness, spiritual hometown, intellectual exploration