White Emperor City - Chinese Ancient "Poem City"
Located in Chongqing, Eight miles downstream from Fenjie County, on the northern bank of the Yangtze River is White Emperor City (白帝城), also called Baidi Temple.
It is an ancient temple located atop Baidi Mountain directly overlooking the Qutang Gorge, one of the Three Gorges of the Yangtze River. It is also the best place to overlook “Kui Gate” which is at the entrance to Qutang Gorge. Two perpendicular cliffs rear over the river surface on either side, looking like a pair of giant door leaves.
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
- This morning, I depart the town of Baidi, engulfed by vibrant clouds.
- I return to far away Jiangling within a single day!
- From both banks, the steady sound of shrieking monkeys fills the air.
- Our little boat has already carried me past thousands of hilltops.
Famous Poem about White Emperor City
History of White Emperor City
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.
White Emperor City
Highlights of White Emperor City
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.
Famous history story in Tuogu Tang during Three Kingdom Period
Zhuge Liang, the Martial Marquis of Shu
Stele Forest in White Emperor City
>> Check more photos of White Emperor City.
More Yangtze River Cruise Shore Excursions
- Three Gorges
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- Fengdu Ghost City
- Shibaozhai Pagoda
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- Lesser Three Gorges
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- Shennv Stream
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- 816 Nuclear Project
- Quyuan Temple
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- Mount Jiuhua
- War Fire of Three Kingdoms
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Thank you for the question. Shore excursions are arranged differently according to different cruise companies. For the arranged shore excursions, you can enjoy visiting them for free, since the fees are included in your cruise price. However, for the optional excursion sites need extra payment if you want to go. And the fees are varied by different Yangtze River cruises. For Shibaozhai Pagoda, it is charged for 295 RMB on Victoria cruises, 290 RMB on Century cruises, 280 RMB on President cruises, 220 RMB on Yangtze Gold cruises, 280 RMB on Yangze Explorer, and 290 RMB on Changjiang cruises. And White Emperor City is charged for 295 RMB on Victoria cruises, 290 RMB on Century cruises, 280 RMB on President cruises, 290 RMB on Yangtze Gold cruises, 280 RMB on Yangze Explorer, and 290 RMB on Changjiang cruises.
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