Baidi City



"Baidi City" or "White Emperor City" is not a real city, but a mini peninsular town with some temples and
gates on top of Baidi Hill in Fengjie County, located at the entrance of the Qutang Gorge and 8 km from
Fengjie County seat. Surrounded by waters, Baidi City gains its popularity by its rich heritage of literature
contribution during thousands of years.

It is said that in the late Western Han Dynasty (206 BC - 24 AD), Gongsun Shu, a local official, occupied
Sichuan Province and built this city as his garrison. There had been a well that sent off white gas like a
flying dragon; thus Gongsun Shu conferred the title of 'White Emperor' on himself and on the city the title
of 'White Emperor City'. This was the place where during the Three Kingdoms Period (220 - 280) the king

of Shu State Liu Bei resigned his son and regime to the wise court official Zhuge Liang. People worshiped Liu Bei and his loyal generals in this city.

Baidi City posts the best viewpoint for the imposing 'Kuimen' (entrance of the Qutang Gorge). Countless literary works were left here by poets and
intellectuals, ranging from the Tang Dynasty (618-906) to the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911). Some are quite famous and widely known. No wonder it
is reputed as the 'City of Poets'.

Baidi City is comprised of several architectural styles of the Ming and Qing periods including Mingliang Hall, Wuhou Pavilion, and Wangjiang
Pavilion. Visitors can also experience the history of the Baidi City by roaming through the many exhibition halls.

An observation pavilion standing west of the Baidi Temple has 12 pillars on the ground floor and 6 on the upper floor, with upturned eaves and
polished beams. It was said that Zhuge Liang once watched the stars and thought of the strategy here.

There are more than 1,000 items of historical relics from different dynasties displayed. Over 100
paintings and calligraphies, and about 70 stone steles are sure to be a great vision for Chinese
calligraphic lovers. Hanging coffins , as well as the relics excavated from inside the Qutang Gorge are
also exhibited. In ancient times, revered poets such as Libai , Dufu, Liuyuxi and Fangchengdu visited and
wrote famous poems during their sojourns here, making Baidi City the “Poem City”.