Sima ventured as far south as Mt. Lu, visited the "nine rivers" that Yu the Great was reputed to have dredged, traveled to Confucius 'native state of Lu, and saw charioteer outfits used in ancient rituals. He even lingered along the way to learn local archery techniques and drinking rituals.
他曾南登廬山，探訪大禹疏導過的「九江」，也曾至魯國的孔子故里，看到遺有古風的車服禮器而流連忘返，甚至特地留在當地學習射箭和飲宴的禮儀。