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Zigui County – Yangtze Cruise Shore Excursion Site

Situated on the north of the Yangtze, half a dozen kilometers upstream from the west entrance of Xiling Gorge, Zigui County is one of shore excursion sites on Yangtze River and Three Gorges cruise.

It is the hometown of Qu Yuan, one of China's greatly loved patriotic poets. Zigui is alternatively known as Stone Town or Gourd Town because in ancient times the wall was of huge stone stabs and the city itself looked like a gourd.

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  Zigui County

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  Zigui County - Yangtze Cruise Highlight

Zigui Location & Geography

Located at the foot of Woniu Mountain on the northern bank of the Yangtze River in western part of Hubei Province, Zigui is surrounded by walls, and has a very classical architectural style. As it is in shape of a gourd, the city is also called "The Gourd City".

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  Zigui County Photo Taken by UAV

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  Zigui County Landscape

Why Called "Zigui"?

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". 

Zigui Attractions

Fragrance Stream (Xiangxi, 湘西)

Quyuan Temple (Quyuanmiao, 屈原庙)

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