White Emperor City （白帝城）Travel Guide

Nov 09, 2024 by orient china travel

Location and History

Located on Baidi Hill at the entrance to Qutang Gorge, on the northern bank of the Yangtze River in Fengjie County, Chongqing25.
It was originally named "Ziyang City". In 25 AD, Gongsun Shu declared himself the emperor here and renamed it "White Emperor City"2.
In history, many important events took place here, such as Liu Bei's entrusting his son to Zhuge Liang before his death2.

Scenic Spots

Tuo Gu Hall: One of the most important spots, it vividly recreates the scene of Liu Bei entrusting his son to Zhuge Liang. The 21 life-size colored fiberglass statues are very realistic2.
Mingliang Palace: The main hall of the White Emperor City, where statues of Liu Bei, Zhuge Liang, Guan Yu, and Zhang Fei are enshrined. It is a significant building in the history of the Three Kingdoms.
Wuhou Temple: Here, three generations of the Zhuge Liang family are worshiped. It shows people's respect for Zhuge Liang and his family2.
Guanxin Pavilion: A good place for enjoying the scenery. Standing here, you can have a panoramic view of the magnificent Qutang Gorge2.
East and West Forests of Steles: The East Forest of Steles contains the handwriting of literati and officials through the ages, while the West Forest of Steles has famous stele inscriptions such as "Inscription under the Sarira Pagoda of Jinlun Temple in the Sui Dynasty"2.
Observation Star Pavilion: It is said that Zhuge Liang used to observe the starry sky here to think about military strategies. There is an ancient bell hanging in the pavilion2.

Cultural Significance

Many famous poets, including Li Bai, Du Fu, and Liu Yuxi, have visited here and left a large number of poems, making White Emperor City known as the "City of Poetry"235.

Access

By water: You can take a cruise ship along the Yangtze River to reach White Emperor City.
By land: First, arrive at Fengjie County by bus or other means of transportation. Then, take a public bus or a taxi to the scenic area34.

Best Time to Visit

Spring and autumn are the best times to visit, when the weather is pleasant and the scenery is magnificent. Avoid the peak tourist season during holidays if you want a more leisurely visit.

Tips

Wear comfortable shoes as there are some stairs to climb.
Bring some water and snacks, as there are limited food and beverage options inside the scenic area.
Respect the cultural relics and protect the environment during your visit.