City of the White Emperor
Why visit here?
The City of the White Emperor stands on a promontory at the mouth of the Qutang Gorge, the western gateway to the Three Gorges. Founded more than 1,800 years ago, it owes its name to an ancient local ruler who called himself the White King and dreamed of immortality.
Its fame, however, comes from the Three Kingdoms. It was here that Liu Bei, emperor of Shu, entrusted his son to Zhuge Liang in the Hall of Commendations as he lay dying. The statue of the prostrate emperor and the standing chancellor recreates that moment of loyalty and tragedy.
Baidi is also the city of poets. Li Bai departed from here into exile, and his most famous verse was born from this farewell: “Amidst the cries of the monkeys, I have already passed ten thousand mountains.” Du Fu resided for two years in its foothills, writing more than four hundred poems.
Today, the morning mists envelop its red pavilions and golden roofs. From its viewpoints, the Yangtze River winds its way between vertical cliffs while cruise ships glide silently by. Temples, steles, and cherry blossoms guard the spirit of the eternal gorge.
Pros & Cons
- The definitive vantage point for the iconic 10-yuan banknote view
- Where history became legend: the authentic site of Liu Bei's "Tuogu" (dying entrustment) – the Tuogu Hall's life-size clay sculptures freeze the moment Zhuge Liang swore eternal loyalty to a dying emperor; this is not myth—this ground witnessed the Three Kingdoms' most sacred oath
- Two national treasures hiding in plain sight: the Phoenix Stele and Bamboo-Leaf Stele
- Winter fog is atmospheric in poetry but fatal for photography
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City of the White Emperor
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