Fengdu

» Chongqing, Si Chuan

Fengdu Overview & Map Weather Transportation Information

Located on the northern bank of the Yangtze River, Fengdu is 107 miles from Chongqing and 296 miles from Yichang. Upon the Mingshan Hill, it has become a popular resort for Yangtze River Cruises. It is the best place where one can learn all about Chinese ghost culture. In addition, the "damned king stone" inscription is the largest rock-side stone carving statue in the world. It is considered that all people's ghosts, of whatever nationality, will come to Fengdu after death.

How it got the name

Fengdu got its reputation as the "Ghost City" in the Eastern Han Dynasty. Two officials from the imperial court: Wang Fangping and Yin Changsheng, got bored with the political life in the court and came to Ming Mountain outside Fengdu City to practice Taoist teachings. Both of them later became immortals by carrying out self-cultivation. This story widely spread and Ming Mountain became famous. When combined together, their surnames Yin and Wang sound very much like "King of Hell" in Chinese. Hence the people began to call Fengdu the "Ghost City."

Getting around

Having a history of nearly 2,000 years, Fengdu has formed a special culture of ghosts and the afterlife. Well known as the resting place of the spirit of the dead, it is now the most characteristic and reputed historic and cultural town in China. Tourist resorts in Fengdu are abundant. Both the natural beauty and historic relics are immediately available to all tourists.

Some natural scenes like virgin forests, mountains, everglades, grassland, canyons, and karst caves can be admired. On the southern bank of Yangtze River, the Snow Jade Cave is the most attractive one. As most of the stalactites in the cave are white and pure, the cave looks like a world of snow. Many world wonders can be found in the cave.

In the Chinese vision of the afterlife, the dead (or ghosts) must undergo three major tests to enter the netherworld. These tests are taken at three locations - Nothing-To-Be-Done-Bridge; Ghost Torturing Pass and the Tianzi (son of heaven) Palace. These three locations are among many attractions in the Ghost City.

Snow Jade Cave

Located about eight miles from the new county of Fengdu, the Snow Jade Cave is rated as China's most beautiful by Chinese National Geography. Discovered in the mid 1990's, the cave is over 1,022 miles long. At present, it is the youngest cave discovered in China. Because of its uniqueness and beauty, it has become a popular scenic spot along the Yangtze River as well as serving as a research site for the study of caves.

Three characters

1. Most of the stalactites in the cave are white and pure as jade, hence its name.
   
2. Stalactites in the cave grow quickly - thirty-three millimeters in one hundred years in fact. In contract, in other such kinds of caves, the average stalactite only grows one millimeter in a century.
   
3. The cave houses many spectacular and unusual karst formations. These include a waterfall; stone hair; shields; coral and animal shapes. Snow Jade Cave is often referred to as the "white marble sculpture museum."
   

Four wonders

A tourist route over 725 miles has been developed for tourists to visit the cave. The cave is divided into six zones - Celebrity Gathering; Heaven on Earth; Update your Life; Northland Scenery; Heavenly Mirage and Bright Future. You will see the so-called 'Four Wonders' here.

1. The coral tower in the cave is the largest of its kind in the world.
   
2. The glittering and transparent King Stone Flag at 26 feet high is the world's tallest and thinnest stone flag.
   
3. The stone shield at 13 feet high is also known as the Snowy Jade Penguin. It is a source of amazement and marvel for many visitors and scholars.
   
4. Certain groups of stalactites resemble goose necks, some as much as two yards long.
   

When to visit

Opening Hours: 8:00a.m. - 5:00p.m.

Nothing-To-Be-Done-Bridge

Built during the Ming Dynasty, the bridge connects the nether world with the real world and is a testing point for good and evil. According to legend, the Nothing-To-Be-Done-Bridge is composed on three identical stone arches. The middle arch is used for testing people. There are different protocols for crossing the bridge depending on your gender, age and marital status. Below the bridge are square-shaped pools of water. Virtuous people will pass over the bridge without obstacle; villainous people will fall into the pools below. The other two arches are called the golden and silver bridges respectively. When preparing to leave, visitors are encouraged to pass these two bridges because according to local superstition this will bring them good fortune.

Ghost Torturing Pass

The Ghost Torturing Pass is the second test before entry into the nether world. It is said that this is the place where the dead report to the Yama, the King of Hell, for judgment. In front of the structure there are eighteen sculptures depicting ferocious demons. Each of these devils is quite lifelike creating a feeling of true eeriness.

Tianzi Palace

Having over three hundred years' history the palace covers an area of nearly 2,908 square yards. It is composed of a temple gate (paifang) and the palace itself. The gate is an archway made of wood and stone rising to height of nearly 33 feet. The palace is the nerve center of the Ghost City and is the oldest and largest temple on Ming Mountain.

The third test to evade hell takes place at a large stone in front of the gate. The ghost must stand on the stone on one foot for three minutes. A good person will be able to do this while an evil one cannot and will be sent to hell.

Last-Glance at Home Tower

One other ghostly attraction in Fengdu worth mentioning is the Last-Glance at Home Tower. This structure was built in 1985 and commemorates the site where spirits consigned to hell could take one last look at their families.

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

Fengdu 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

Fengdu 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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