Du Fu Thatched Cottage is located at No. 37 Qinghua Road, Qingyang District, Chengdu, Sichuan Province. It is a national 4A-level tourist attraction and one of the first batch of national first-class museums. Covering an area of nearly 300 mu, it completely preserves the architectural pattern from the renovations and expansions in the 13th year of Hongzhi in the Ming Dynasty (1500) and the 16th year of Jiaqing in the Qing Dynasty (1811). The screen wall, main gate, Daxie Hall, Poetry History Hall, Chaimen Gate, and Gongbu Shrine are arranged on a central axis, flanked by symmetrical corridors and other auxiliary buildings, forming a unique "hybrid" Chinese classical garden.
History and Culture
The Du Fu Thatched Cottage is the former residence of Du Fu, a great poet of the Tang Dynasty, during his stay in Chengdu. In the winter of the second year of Qianyuan in the reign of Emperor Suzong of Tang (759), Du Fu fled the "An Lushan Rebellion" and traveled to Chengdu from Longyou with his family. The following spring, with the help of friends, he built a thatched cottage by the Huanhua River in the western suburbs of Chengdu. In the spring of the second year of Shangyuan (761), the thatched cottage was completed and named "Chengdu Thatched Cottage." Du Fu lived here for nearly four years, creating more than 240 poems.
After Du Fu left, the thatched cottage was destroyed and later renovated and expanded through the Song, Yuan, Ming, and Qing dynasties, gradually evolving into a famous cultural site integrating the pattern of a memorial hall and the style of the poet's former residence. The two large-scale renovations in the 13th year of Hongzhi in the Ming Dynasty (1500) and the 16th year of Jiaqing in the Qing Dynasty (1811) laid the foundation for the basic layout of the existing architectural complex. In 1955, the Du Fu Thatched Cottage Memorial Hall was established, and in 1985, it was renamed the Chengdu Du Fu Thatched Cottage Museum. It is now a key national cultural relic protection unit.
Main Attractions
Daxie Hall
Daxie Hall is an official building constructed in later generations to commemorate the poet, symbolizing respect for the "Sage of Poetry." A long couplet hangs in the hall, and a 2-meter-tall bronze statue of Du Fu stands in the center, wearing a green robe, holding a book, and with deep eyes. On both sides are displayed engraved and photocopied editions of Du Fu's poetry collections through the ages, as well as related research documents, showcasing Du Fu's lofty status in literary history.
Poetry History Hall
The Poetry History Hall is the core building of the thatched cottage, named because Du Fu's poems are known as the "History in Poetry." A portrait of Du Fu hangs on the main wall of the hall, with couplets inscribed by celebrities such as Zhu De and Guo Moruo on both sides. The hall displays an exhibition of Du Fu's life, showing the poet's life trajectory from birth to death and the development process of his poetry creation, serving as an important window to understand Du Fu's culture.
Gongbu Shrine
Gongbu Shrine is a commemorative building of the thatched cottage, named because Du Fu once served as the Assistant Minister of Works. The shrine enshrines a statue of Du Fu, with statues of Lu You and Huang Tingjian on both sides. The three are known as the "Three Sages" of different eras. In front of the shrine is the "Shaoling Thatched Cottage" stele pavilion, with inscriptions written by Prince Guo Yunli during the Kangxi reign of the Qing Dynasty, one of the iconic landscapes of the thatched cottage.
Thatched Cottage Former Residence
The Thatched Cottage Former Residence is a complex of Tang Dynasty residential buildings reconstructed based on Du Fu's poem description: "The cottage behind the city is shaded by white thatch, and the familiar river road overlooks the green suburbs." Covering an area of about 2 mu, it consists of thatched houses, a living room, study, bedroom, etc., with Tang-style furniture displayed inside, restoring Du Fu's living scene at that time. Bamboo, plum, chrysanthemum, and other plants are planted around the thatched cottage, reflecting the poet's life sentiment of "loving bamboo to entertain guests, seeking plum without letting spring."
Wanfo Tower
Wanfo Tower was first built in the Tang Dynasty and was once a famous Buddhist temple in Chengdu, later destroyed in war. It was rebuilt in 2005, 21 meters high with five floors, featuring upturned eaves and grand momentum. The tower houses ten thousand Buddha statues, hence the name "Wanfo Tower" (Ten Thousand Buddha Tower). Climbing the tower offers a panoramic view of the thatched cottage, feeling the integrated beauty of classical gardens and Buddhist culture.
Food
Chen Mapo Tofu
The most famous food around the thatched cottage is Chen Mapo Tofu, originating in the early years of the Tongzhi reign in the Qing Dynasty, with a history of more than 160 years. Using tender tofu, minced beef, chili, Sichuan pepper, and other ingredients, the tofu melts in the mouth, with a spicy and fresh flavor, known as the "Soul of Sichuan Cuisine." It is recommended to visit the main Chen Mapo Tofu store on Qinghua Road, a must-go place to experience authentic Sichuan flavor.
Long Chaoshou (Long Wonton)
Long Chaoshou is a traditional famous snack in Chengdu, with thin skin and large filling, and fresh soup. The filling is mainly pork, paired with ingredients such as mushrooms and bamboo shoots, with a rich taste. The Long Chaoshou branch near the thatched cottage uses pork bones and chicken to simmer the soup for a long time, paired with smooth wontons, one of the favorite foods of tourists.
Zhong Shui Jiao (Zhong's Dumplings)
Zhong Shui Jiao is a characteristic snack in Chengdu, starting from the Guangxu period, with a history of more than a hundred years. It uses fine flour to make the skin and pork filling for seasoning. After cooking, it is drizzled with special red oil, garlic paste, sesame, and other seasonings, with a slightly sweet and salty taste, spicy but not dry. The old-fashioned Zhong Shui Jiao stores around the thatched cottage are good places to taste this delicacy.
Sandapao (Three Bangs)
Sandapao is a traditional Sichuan snack, named for the three sounds made during production. Using glutinous rice as the main ingredient, after steaming and pounding, it is kneaded into balls and thrown on the chopping board to make three "peng peng peng" sounds, hence the name "Sandapao." Then it is wrapped in soybean flour and sprinkled with brown sugar, with a soft and sweet taste, a common street snack around the thatched cottage.
Tickets
The ticket price is 50 yuan per person.
You can search for the official WeChat public account "杜甫草堂博物馆" on WeChat to get the latest updates or purchase tickets online.
Opening Hours
Open throughout the year, from 09:00 to 18:00 (entry stops at 17:00). During legal holidays and major events, the opening hours may be adjusted, subject to the official announcement of the scenic area.
Tour Route
Recommended tour route: Main Gate → Daxie Hall → Poetry History Hall → Chaimen Gate → Gongbu Shrine → Shaoling Thatched Cottage Stele Pavilion → Thatched Cottage Former Residence → Tang Dynasty Ruins Exhibition Hall → Flower Path → Wanfo Tower → Cottage Bookstore → Exit. This route unfolds along the central axis, allowing visitors to sequentially visit the main buildings and attractions of the thatched cottage, taking about 2 hours in total. It not only allows appreciation of the architectural beauty of classical gardens but also in-depth understanding of Du Fu's life and cultural achievements.
Transportation
- Bus: Take buses No. 1024, 165, 170, 35, 58, 82, G74, etc., and get off at "Du Fu Thatched Cottage Station."
- Metro: Take Metro Line 4, get off at "Zhongyi Daxue Hospital Station," and transfer to a bus or walk about 1.5 kilometers to reach.
- Self-driving: The thatched cottage has a parking lot at No. 37 Qinghua Road, with a parking fee of about 10 yuan per hour.
Must-Visit Attractions
- Thatched Cottage Former Residence: Restores Du Fu's living scene, covering about 2 mu, with Tang-style furniture inside and bamboo and plum trees around, feeling the living atmosphere of the "Sage of Poetry."
- Poetry History Hall: The core building of the thatched cottage, displaying Du Fu's life story, with his portrait hanging on the main wall and couplets by Zhu De and Guo Moruo on both sides, rich in cultural heritage.
- Shaoling Thatched Cottage Stele Pavilion: The stele in the pavilion is inscribed with "Shaoling Thatched Cottage," written by Prince Guo Yunli during the Kangxi reign of the Qing Dynasty, an iconic landscape of the thatched cottage suitable for photo souvenirs.
- Wanfo Tower: Rebuilt in 2005, 21 meters high, climbing the tower overlooks the whole thatched cottage, with ten thousand Buddha statues inside, feeling the integration of Buddhist culture and garden art.
Tour Tips
- It is recommended to visit in spring (March-May) or autumn (September-November) when Chengdu has a mild climate and the thatched cottage is full of flowers and trees, with pleasant scenery.
- Make an appointment to buy tickets in advance through the official WeChat public account of the scenic area to avoid queuing during holidays.
- Hire a scenic area guide (about 100 yuan per time) or rent a voice guide (20 yuan per unit) to deeply understand Du Fu's culture and the history of the thatched cottage.
- The thatched cottage has a teahouse where you can experience Chengdu's characteristic "Gaiwancha" (covered-bowl tea), feeling the leisurely Sichuan life surrounded by bamboo.
- Attractions such as the Sichuan Museum and Qingyang Palace are nearby, allowing a one-day tour to deeply experience Chengdu culture.
Notes
- Smoking and littering are prohibited in the thatched cottage; keep the environment clean.
- When visiting the thatched cottage former residence, do not touch the interior furnishings to avoid damaging cultural relics.
- There are many visitors during holidays; please take care of personal belongings and accompany the elderly and children.
- Most buildings in the thatched cottage are classical, and the ground is slippery; it is recommended to wear non-slip shoes.
- Do not use flash when taking photos to avoid damaging cultural relics.