Dufu Thatched Cottage



The Dufu Thatched Cottage is located at the side of the Flower Washing Brook in the western suburbs of
Chengdu.  The cottage is the former residence of the famous Tang Dynasty poet, Du Fu.  Du Fu was one of
the most significant figures in the history of Chinese poetry, summarizing the past and opening up the style
for the future. He was also the greatest realist poet, and has been famed as the Sage of Poetry.

In the year 759 A.D., at the age of 47, compelled by poverty and social upheaval, Dufu moved from Gansu to
the outskirts of Chengdu and built a thatched hut.  During his stay of nearly four years, he composed more
than 240 poems reflecting upon the misery of the people.  The original residence disappeared long ago.  It

was renovated in the Ming and Qing dynasties and enlarged to its present scale in an expansive park, including a bamboo garden, several
pavilions, and a number of bridges.

Du Fu's Thatched Cottage covers an area of 16 hectares. Constructions inside represent Qing Dynasty style, with gardens of the unique
compound style in Chinese gardening tradition. The Gate, the Screen Wall, the Lobby, the History in Verse Hall, and the Gong Bu Temple are lined
one by one along the middle axis, flanked by corridors and other auxiliary buildings.

 In addition, statues, stone carvings, paintings, and calligraphies by famous writers of different dynasties are also on display.  However, the only
thing resembling a cottage is a small model.  Springtime in the park is a wonderful experience because of the beautiful mixture of flowers and
traditional Chinese architecture.

The cottage has 5 main and 4 attached rooms, with the thatched roofs and the old fashioned inside empty
wall made of two layers of bamboo strip and spread on the surface with clay. Around the house are
bamboo fences and inside the fences are vegetable and herb plots, easily reminding people of the scenes
described in Du Fu's poems. While taking a quiet walk in such a historical cultural environment, visitors
are apt to be brought back to the ancient times. 

Du Fu of today the grass hall comes with the welcome friend outside the world in feature in all new spirit
with its abundant history culture content.