Baidi City is located on the north bank of the Yangtze River at the entrance of Qutang Gorge in Fengjie County, Chongqing City. It is a national 5A-level tourist scenic area. Baidi City has a profound historical and cultural heritage and unique natural scenery, covering an area of about 10.5 square kilometers. Baidi City is an ancient mountain city. The existing Baidi Temple and other buildings cover an area of about 17 mu. The buildings in the temple have a rigorous layout, with red walls and green tiles, showing a magnificent momentum. It guards the entrance of Qutang Gorge, surrounded by water on three sides and leaning against a mountain on one side. The terrain is strategically important and it has been a place of great military significance since ancient times. It is also an excellent place to admire the magnificent scenery of the Three Gorges of the Yangtze River.
History and Culture
Baidi City has a long history. At the end of the Western Han Dynasty, Gongsun Shu occupied Shu and built a city on the mountain. Because a well in the city often emitted white vapor, resembling a white dragon, Gongsun Shu named himself "Baidi" (White Emperor), and Baidi City got its name from this.
During the Three Kingdoms period, Liu Bei was defeated in the great battle against the Eastern Wu and retreated to Baidi City. Before his death, he entrusted his son to Zhuge Liang in Yong'an Palace of Baidi City, making Baidi City an important site of the Three Kingdoms culture. Since then, many literati such as Li Bai, Du Fu, and Liu Yuxi have visited Baidi City and left behind many popular poems, such as Li Bai's "Leaving Baidi City Early", adding a strong cultural atmosphere to Baidi City.
The architecture of Baidi City integrates the styles of the Ming and Qing dynasties. Many ancient steles and cultural relics are preserved in Baidi Temple. These are important materials for studying ancient Chinese history and culture and have witnessed the changes of Baidi City throughout history.
Main Attractions
Baidi Temple
Baidi Temple is the core attraction of Baidi City, covering an area of about 17 mu. The main buildings in the temple include the Mingliang Hall, the Wuhou Temple, and the Star-Gazing Pavilion. The Mingliang Hall enshrines the statues of Liu Bei, Zhuge Liang, Guan Yu, Zhang Fei and other historical figures, presenting the historical figures and stories of the Three Kingdoms period. The Wuhou Temple is built in memory of Zhuge Liang, and it contains the statue of Zhuge Liang and related historical cultural relics. The Star-Gazing Pavilion is said to be the place where Zhuge Liang observed the stars at night, with pavilions and towers showing an ancient and elegant style.
Kuimen
Kuimen is located near Baidi City. It is the west gate of Qutang Gorge and an important scenic spot of the Three Gorges of the Yangtze River. On both sides of Kuimen are towering mountains and steep cliffs. The Yangtze River flows through here, forming the magnificent landscape of "Kuimen, the Most Majestic in the World". The scenery of Kuimen is magnificent and attracts many tourists. It is a paradise for photographers and also the location where the pattern on the back of the 10-yuan Renminbi note is taken.
The Hall of Entrusting the Orphan
The Hall of Entrusting the Orphan is built to commemorate the historical event of Liu Bei entrusting his son to Zhuge Liang. Inside the hall, through sculptures and scene restorations, it vividly shows the scene of Liu Bei entrusting his son to Zhuge Liang before his death. The sculptures are lifelike and the scene arrangement is realistic, allowing tourists to seem to travel back to the Three Kingdoms period and feel the profound history.
Delicacies
Fengjie Navel Oranges
Fengjie navel oranges are the characteristic fruits of the local area. The fruits are large and plump, with bright colors, abundant juice and sweet taste. They are rich in various nutrients such as vitamin C. Fengjie navel oranges are famous nationwide for their excellent quality. They are a must-try delicacy for tourists visiting Baidi City and also a good choice for souvenirs.
Kuimen Red Crabs
Kuimen red crabs are the characteristic dishes of the local area. The meat of the red crabs is delicious and rich in nutrients. There are various cooking methods. Steamed Kuimen red crabs can retain the freshness of the crabs to the greatest extent, and spicy crabs have a unique flavor, allowing tourists to taste the unique cuisine by the river.
Immortal Tofu
Immortal tofu is a characteristic snack in Fengjie. It is mainly made from a wild plant in the local area. The immortal tofu is green, with a tender and smooth taste, and it is refreshing and cool. It has the effect of clearing heat and detoxifying. In hot weather, having a bowl of immortal tofu is a good choice for relieving heat.
Admission Ticket
The admission ticket price of Baidi City Scenic Area is 100 yuan per person. There may be some separately charged items in the scenic area, and the specific fees can be consulted within the scenic area. At the same time, the scenic area will introduce some preferential policies according to different seasons and activities, and tourists can learn about the latest ticket information through the official channels of the scenic area.
You can search for the official WeChat public account of the scenic area, "白帝城瞿塘峡景区", to obtain the latest news or purchase tickets online.
Opening Hours
Baidi City Scenic Area is open throughout the year. During the summer (from May 1st to October 31st), the opening hours are from 08:00 to 17:30. During the winter (from November 1st to April 30th of the following year), the opening hours are from 08:30 to 17:00. Tourists can enter the scenic area for sightseeing during the opening hours. The scenic area will be adjusted according to the actual situation, and the specific opening hours shall be subject to the announcements of the scenic area.
Itinerary
After entering the scenic area, tourists can first visit Baidi Temple to admire the ancient buildings and cultural relics in the temple and learn about the culture of the Three Kingdoms and the history of Baidi City. Then go to the Hall of Entrusting the Orphan to feel the historical scene of Liu Bei entrusting his son. After that, go to Kuimen to enjoy the magnificent canyon scenery. During the tour, tourists can stop at the viewing platforms in the scenic area to admire the beautiful scenery of the Yangtze River. The whole tour takes about 2 to 3 hours. Tourists can appropriately adjust the tour route and the stay time according to their own interests and time arrangements.
Transportation
- By Air: Tourists can first arrive at Chongqing Jiangbei International Airport, and then take a long-distance bus or transfer to a high-speed rail to Fengjie County. After arriving in Fengjie County, they can take a local bus or a taxi to Baidi City Scenic Area. It takes about 4 to 5 hours to take a long-distance bus from Chongqing Jiangbei International Airport to Fengjie County, and about 2 hours to take a high-speed rail.
- By Train: After arriving at Fengjie Station by train, tourists can take a bus or a taxi to Baidi City Scenic Area. It takes about 30 minutes to take a bus from Fengjie Station to Baidi City Scenic Area, and about 20 minutes to take a taxi.
- By Self-driving: Enter "Baidi City" in the navigation software and drive according to the navigation route. There is a parking lot in the scenic area, which is convenient for tourists to park. Self-driving tourists need to pay attention to the road conditions, especially in mountainous sections, and drive carefully.
Must-visit Attractions
- Baidi Temple: The core building of Baidi City integrates the architectural styles of the Ming and Qing dynasties. There are many historical figure statues and cultural relics in the temple, which is an important place to understand the culture of the Three Kingdoms and the history of Baidi City.
- Kuimen: An important scenic spot of the Three Gorges of the Yangtze River, the magnificent scenery of "Kuimen, the Most Majestic in the World" is well-known. It is also the location where the pattern on the back of the 10-yuan Renminbi note is taken, with magnificent natural scenery.
- The Hall of Entrusting the Orphan: Through sculptures and scene restorations, it vividly shows the historical scene of Liu Bei entrusting his son, allowing tourists to feel the profound historical and cultural atmosphere.
Travel Suggestions
- It is recommended that tourists learn about the historical culture of Baidi City in advance, such as by reading relevant books or watching documentaries, so as to better understand the connotation of the attractions during the tour.
- During the tour, pay attention to protecting the cultural relics and the environment in the scenic area. Do not touch the cultural relics randomly and do not litter.
- Since some sections in the scenic area are steep, tourists should pay attention to safety, especially the elderly and children, who need to be accompanied by family members.
- When tasting local delicacies, choose regular restaurants to ensure food safety. At the same time, Fengjie navel oranges are the characteristic fruits of the local area, and when purchasing, pay attention to selecting fresh fruits.
- If you want to photograph the beautiful scenery of Kuimen, it is advisable to go on a sunny day. The best shooting time is in the early morning or evening, and the lighting effect is better.
Precautions
- Respect the local customs and religious beliefs and do not behave inappropriately.
- There may be some steep steps and mountain roads in the scenic area. Tourists should pay attention to walking safety and wear comfortable shoes.
- When playing in the scenic area, follow the arrangements of the staff and do not enter the unopened areas without permission.
- There may be some peddlers around the scenic area selling souvenirs. When purchasing, pay attention to distinguishing the quality and price of the goods to avoid being deceived.
- If an emergency occurs, you can ask the staff in the scenic area for help. There is a tourist service center in the scenic area, which can provide relevant assistance and services for tourists.