Zigui County - Yangtze Cruise Shore Excursion Site

The name Zigui is connected with Qu Yuan. Qu Yuan served as a chancellor to King Huai in the Kingdom of Chu and the king had complete trust in him. Later, court discord developed among the clans and Qu was falsely slandered. He was banished from the capital with deep sadness and bitterness. On hearing that Qu Yuan had been dismissed from office by the Chu ruler who was influenced by slanders against the upright poet-cum-statesman, his sister came back from her husband's home to see and encourage him. People, therefore, gave Qu Yuan's hometown the name of "Zigui", which means in Chinese "the Returning Sister".

To memorialize him, a museum has been built outside the east end of the county seat. This structure was built during the Tang Dynasty (618--907). The stone figure of the poet is displayed here. Quyuantuo, has the former sites of Qu Yuan's tomb and temple.

Now, an ancient arch bearing the words "Hometown of Qu Yuan" written by the contemporary scholar Guo Moruo (1892-1978) still stands in the city. A tablet at its side has the inscription "Hometown of Qu Yuan, High Minister of Chu".