White Emperor City - Chinese Ancient "Poem City"

White Emperor City is also known as the City of Poems because so many poets, including the Poet Immortal Libai who wrote about "Departing from Baidi in the Morning", and the Poet Sage Dufu who even resided here for nearly two years and wrote about 1,400 poems.

Departing from Baidi in the Morning

1. This morning, I depart the town of Baidi, engulfed by vibrant clouds.
2. I return to far away Jiangling within a single day!
3. From both banks, the steady sound of shrieking monkeys fills the air.
4. Our little boat has already carried me past thousands of hilltops.

It is said that in the late Western Han Dynasty (206 BC - 24 AD), Gongsun Shu, a general, set up a separatist regime by force of arms in Sichuan. He claimed himself the King of Shu. Because he saw white fog rising from the well of the mountain which was like a white dragon, he called himself the White Emperor. And he made it the capital city and gave the city the name - White Emperor City.

>> Check more historical attractions on Yangtze River.

At White Emperor City, in addition to visiting the numerous Ming Dynasty Era halls that house statues of the Three Kingdoms heroes, one can see an original Ba hanging coffin that is over 2300 years old in Stele Forest.

Tuogu Tang (托孤堂)

Tuogu Tang (Entrusting Son’s Hall) is the most attractive one. In the Three Kingdoms Period (220 - 280), the first emperor of the Shu Kingdom, Liu Bei, failed in the battle with the Wu Kingdom at White Emperor City. He became ill and entrusted his son to his prime minister, Zhuge Liang before closing his eyes. Now, the hall exhibits the statues which depict the scene of Liu Bei entrusting his son to Zhuge Liang.

Mingliang Palace (明良殿)

Mingliang Palace is where the statue of GongsunShu was once sacrificed by the people. In the Ming Dynasty, the statue was replaced by those of Liu Bei, Guan Yu, Zhangfei and Zhuge Liang.

Observing Stars Pavilion (观星亭)

It is the place where Zhu Geliang observed the stars and developed the tactic of using arms.

Stele Forest (碑林)

Other relics housed in Baidi Temple are a Stele Forest, ancient suspended wooden coffins, painting and calligraphy works by celebrities of different dynasties.

Travel Note: When taking the Yangtze River cruise and reaching White Emperor City, you would take the coach directly to Baidi Temple in 20 minutes’ drive. You will have two hours for your White Emperor City visit to appreciate the rich historic story and mysterious land.