Baidicheng

» Chongqing, Si Chuan

Baidicheng Overview & Map Weather Transportation Information

Surrounded by the river on three sides and backed by a mountain, the ancient city is actually a mini city scattered with temples and gates. Climbing over 500 steps, you reach the top, the starting point of Three Gorges and have a wonderful view! The City was said to be built by Gongsun Shu, an official turned soldier, as the site of his headquarters during the end of the Western Han Dynasty.

"White Emperor City"

Why the "Baidicheng" is also called "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. Remains of the city wall can still be seen on the hill behind Baidi hill. The 12-year reign of the White Emperor was regarded as a time of peace and harmony, so after his death a temple was built to commemorate his reign. This temple dates back over 1,950 years.

A popular story

White Emperor City was the place where a popular story happened. During the Three Kingdoms Period, Liu Bei, the king of Shu, retreated from a disastrous war against general Lu Xun of Wu Kingdom, and died here in distress. On his deathbed, Liu entrusted state affairs and his son, Liu Chan, to Prime Minister Zhuge Liang (a famous idea man in China's history).

The front hall contains large modern statues which depict the scene in the story. To the left is the handsome, winged Observing Stars Pavilion (Guanxing Ting) where Zhuge Liang observed the stars and made accurate weather forecasts which helped him plan his victorious battles. With upturned eaves and polished beams, the temple has 12 pillars on the ground floor and 6 on the upper floor.

What to see

Baidicheng 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 Badicheng by roaming through the many exhibition halls. 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.

A city of poems

Baidicheng 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 Poems."

Inscribed Tablets

It is a center of historical relics in the Three Gorges. Preserved in this town are seventy-four stone tablets of the Sui, Yuan, Ming and Qing dynasties inscribed with poems, essays, antithetical couplets, pictures and calligraphy.

The calligraphy of the inscriptions on the stone tablets is in the styles of great and small seal characters, official script of the Han Dynasty, script of the Wei Dynasty, regular script, running hand or cursive hand, each having its own characteristics.

The most famous one

The most valuable inscription is to be found on the Memorial Tablet to Lord Longshan, which is executed in a forceful calligraphy that combines the styles of the southern and northern calligraphers.

The inscription is about 1,300-1,400 years old. The tablet was unearthed in 1859 in the ninth year of the Xianfeng reign of the Qing Dynasty when a fort was being built at the northwestern corner of the town of Fengjie. The top edge of the same tablet is newly carved words: "Flood water caused a disaster, rising to a level fifty feet higher than the town on the nineteenth day of the sixth month in the ninth year of the Tongzhi reign." It is a truthful record of the notorious flood of the Yangtze River in 1870 and a rare piece of hydrological history.

Two other stone tablets

Two of the stone tablets are carved with pictures of unique styles. One is carved with a phoenix, the king of birds; a peony, the king of flowers; and a parasol tree, the king of trees. The tablet is therefore called the Phoenix Tablet or the Tablet of Three Kings. The other is called the Bamboo Leaf Tablet because it is carved with a poem with all the characters made up by bamboo leaves. Both are unusually conceived.

When to visit

Opening Hours: 9:10a.m. - 5:00p.m.

Attractions around » Chongqing, Si Chuan

Natural Scene

• Qutang Gorge
• Wu Gorge
• Eling Park
• Port Chaotianmen
• Mt. Geleshan

Historical Site

• Kuimen
• Baidicheng
• Fengdu
• Dazu Rock Carvings
• Shibaozhai Temple
• Chongqing People's Assembly Hall
• Ciqikou Old Town

Cultural Site

• Eling Park
• Chongqing Zoo
• Chongqing Three Gorges Museum
• Wanzhou
• Artists' Village

Baidicheng Highlights

Ancient City & Town in Great China

• Lijiang Old Town
• Ancient Town of Zhouzhuang
• Shuhe Naxi Village
• Jiaohe Ruins
• Ancient Town of Wuzhen
• Pingyao Ancient City
• Tunxi Ancient Street
• Xidi Village
• Hongcun Village
• Yangliuqing Town
• Old Town of Xitang
• Cuandixia Village
• Zhujiajiao Old Town
• Phoenix Town
• Loulan Ancient City
• Qiuci Capital Ruins
• Baidicheng
• Fengdu
• Shibaozhai Temple
• Mallikurwatur Ruins
• Tangyue Archway
• Dali Ancient City
• Qingyan Ancient Town
• Zhenyuan Ancient Town
• Stone Drum Town
• Gaochang Ancient City
• Furong Town
• Qibaozhen Ancient Town
• Tongli Town
• Daxu Ancient Town
• Jingzhou Ancient City
• Nanping Village
• Xingping Town
• Longli Ancient Town
• Ancient Sanlu Temple Street
• Shiban Street
• Ciqikou Old Town
• Tunbao Cultural Village
• Kashgar Old Town
• Subashi Ancient City
• Gyangtze Old Town
• Lhatse
• Jinli Street
• Langzhong Ancient City

Baidicheng FAQ & Travelers's Tips

  Weather

1. Is Chongqing's weather very hot? What to notice?

  Shopping

1. What sourvenirs should I buy and where?

  Travel

1. Can I tour around Chonqing by bike?

  Customs

1. Could I get to know something about minority cultures in Chongqing?

  Other Hints

1. Notice this if you tend to drink beer in a bar
2. Emergency numbers
3. Mind this customs rule

• Is Chongqing's weather very hot? What to notice?

  Chongqing is located in the transition area between the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau and the Middle-lower Yangtze Plain. Which is famous for its hot summers and it is known as one of 'the three furnace cities'. The other two are Nanjing and Wuhan. Bring light clothing such as T-shirts, shorts and sandals if you come in summer. Also, remember to bring your umbrella, sunglasses, and suntan lotion to avoid the heat of the 'burning furnace'. The best season to visit Chongqing is in spring, autumn and winter.

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• Could i get to know something about minority cultures in Chongqing?

  Chongqing is a multi-cultural city, with about 23 distinct minority cultures. The Tujia and the Miao are the largest two minorities in Chongqing and mainly inhabit the Qianjiang Development District and the Fuling District. Every January 3 to 15 of the lunar calendar, Tujia people hold grand activities of worship, praying and dancing. The Miao people express themselves through singing.

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• Can i tour around Chonqing by bike?

  The bike is the worst choice for people who understand the structure of the mountain city. First timers to Chongqing should be warned it is very easy to get lost. The bus system and monorail are advised as the best forms of transportation.

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• What sourvenirs should I buy and where?

  The local "Tan Mu Jiang" (Carpenter Tan) carpentry shop is worth a visit for its fine wood artwares
  

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• Notice this if you tend to drink beer in a bar

  There are many bars in Chongqing, but most are underpopulated. Several branches of the Newcastle Arms offer the closest thing to proper beer, but be sure they get your beer from the pump and not the slop tray.

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• Emergency numbers

  • Ambulance: 120
    
  • Emergencies: 110
    
  • Fire: 119
    
  • Tel No. Enquiry: 114
    
  • Police: 110



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• Mind this customs rule

  Customs rules require an accounting of all valuables including watches, jewellery, cameras and currency that you are taking in. A copy of this is surrendered on departure and anything missing may well be treated as imported and duty required accordingly. Therefore make sure you obtain a police report for any goods stolen during your stay.
  Recorded video-tapes must be declared and may be viewed by the Authorities on arrival.

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