Chengdu Wuhou Temple Museum is located at No. 231 Wuhouci Street, Wuhou District, Chengdu, Sichuan Province. It is the only joint shrine for emperors and ministers in China, as well as a key national cultural relic protection unit and a national 4A-level tourist attraction. The scenic area covers an area of about 150,000 square meters, consisting of three parts: the Three Kingdoms Cultural Heritage Protection Area, the Three Kingdoms Cultural Experience Area, and the Jinli Folk Custom Area. The existing buildings were reconstructed in the 11th year of Kangxi in the Qing Dynasty (1672), retaining the architectural style of the late Ming and early Qing dynasties. With red walls, bamboo shadows, and dense ancient cypresses, it has extremely high historical and cultural value and artistic appreciation value.
History and Culture
Wuhou Temple was first built in the 3rd year of Zhangwu (223) to commemorate Liu Bei, the Emperor Zhaolie of Shu Han, and Prime Minister Zhuge Liang, initially adjacent to Liu Bei's Huiling Mausoleum. During the Tang Dynasty, Wuhou Temple had become a famous tourist attraction, and Du Fu once wrote the poem, "Where to find the Prime Minister's temple? Outside Jincheng, cypresses are dense." In the early Ming Dynasty, Wuhou Temple was incorporated into Liu Bei's Temple, forming a pattern of joint worship of emperors and ministers. At the end of the Ming Dynasty, the temple was destroyed in war and reconstructed in the 11th year of Kangxi in the Qing Dynasty (1672), forming the existing architectural scale.
In 1961, Wuhou Temple was announced by the State Council as one of the first batch of key national cultural relic protection units. In 1984, Chengdu Wuhou Temple Museum was established, and in 2008, it was rated as a national 4A-level tourist attraction. The scenic area preserves a large number of cultural relics of the Shu Han Dynasty, such as Liu Bei Hall, Zhuge Liang Hall, Huiling Mausoleum, etc., as well as a large number of inscriptions, plaques, and couplets, making it an important place for studying the culture of the Three Kingdoms.
Main Attractions
Liu Bei Hall
Liu Bei Hall is one of the main buildings of Wuhou Temple. Inside the hall, there is a gilded statue of Liu Bei, 3 meters high, wearing a dragon robe and holding a jade gui, with a solemn expression. On both sides of the hall, there are 28 statues of famous generals of Shu Han, such as Guan Yu and Zhang Fei, each with different expressions and lifelike images. The plaque "Yeshang Gaoguang" hangs in the hall, meaning that Liu Bei's achievements inherited those of Liu Bang, the High Emperor of Han, and Liu Xiu, the Guangwu Emperor of Han.
Zhuge Liang Hall
Zhuge Liang Hall, also known as Wuhou Temple, is located behind Liu Bei Hall and is the main place for worshiping Zhuge Liang. Inside the hall, there is a gilded statue of Zhuge Liang, 2.8 meters high, holding a feather fan and looking elegant. On both sides of the hall, there are statues of his son Zhuge Zhan and grandson Zhuge Shang. The plaque "Mingchui Yuzhou" (Famous Throughout the Universe) hangs in the hall, with couplets on both sides: "Three visits to seek the strategy for the world; Two dynasties served as a loyal minister with all his heart," highly summarizing Zhuge Liang's life.
Huiling Mausoleum
Huiling Mausoleum is the tomb of Liu Bei, located on the west side of Wuhou Temple, and is the only remaining imperial tomb from the Three Kingdoms period. The mausoleum is 12 meters high and 180 meters in circumference, in the shape of an inverted dou（a Chinese measuring tool). The tomb is surrounded by a wall. In front of the tomb is a stele inscribed "Tomb of Emperor Zhaolie of Han," erected in the 53rd year of Qianlong in the Qing Dynasty (1788). Huiling Mausoleum is adjacent to Wuhou Temple, forming a pattern of "integration of temple and tomb."
Sanyi Temple
Sanyi Temple was originally located on Tidu Street in Chengdu. It was built to commemorate the Peach Garden Oath of Liu Bei, Guan Yu and Zhang Fei, and was entirely relocated to the site of Wuhou Temple in 2003. The temple enshrines statues of Liu Bei, Guan Yu and Zhang Fei, as well as those of famous generals of the Shu Han Dynasty such as Zhao Yun and Ma Chao. The architectural style of Sanyi Temple is a typical residential style in western Sichuan, featuring green tiles, white walls, and carved beams and painted rafters.
Jinli
Jinli is the folk custom area of Wuhou Temple, covering an area of more than 30,000 square meters, with a construction area of more than 14,000 square meters and a street length of 550 meters. With the culture of the Three Kingdoms as its connotation, traditional architecture as its carrier, and folk culture as its soul, Jinli is an ancient street integrating tourism, shopping, and leisure. On both sides of the street are teahouses, inns, restaurants, bars, theaters, handicraft stores, etc., showcasing the folk customs of Western Sichuan.
Food
Sandapao (Three Bangs)
Sandapao is a traditional characteristic snack in Chengdu, named for the three sounds made during its 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 powder and drizzled with brown sugar syrup, with a soft and sweet taste, a popular snack on Jinli Ancient Street.
Tangyou Guozi (Sugar Oil Fruits)
Tangyou Guozi is a traditional snack in Chengdu, made from glutinous rice, brown sugar, and sesame seeds through frying. The fruits are brownish-red, crispy on the outside and soft on the inside, sweet and delicious, and one of the favorite breakfasts of Chengdu people. There are many shops on Jinli Ancient Street making Tangyou Guozi, sold fresh and hot with a fragrant smell.
Danhong Gao (Egg Baked Cake)
Danhong Gao is a famous traditional snack in Chengdu, dating back to the Qing Dynasty. Made from eggs, flour, and sugar, it is baked in a special copper pot. The cake is round, golden in color, crispy on the outside and soft on the inside, with a sweet taste. Fillings such as sesame, peanuts, walnuts, and cream can be added according to personal taste, one of the characteristic foods on Jinli Ancient Street.
Fuqi Feipian (Couple's Sliced Beef and Offal)
Fuqi Feipian is a traditional famous dish in Chengdu, created by the couple Guo Chaohua and Zhang Tianzheng in the 1930s. Using beef heart, tongue, tripe, beef, etc., as raw materials, after brining and slicing, it is mixed with seasonings such as chili oil, Sichuan pepper powder, garlic paste, and peanut pieces. The dish is bright red, spicy and fresh, a classic food on Chengdu's dining tables, and can be tasted in many Sichuan restaurants around Jinli.
Tickets
The ticket price is 50 yuan per person.
You can search for the official WeChat public account "成都武侯祠" on WeChat to get the latest updates or purchase tickets online.
Opening Hours
Open throughout the year from 08:00 to 20:00 (entry stops at 19:30). During legal holidays and major events, the opening hours may be adjusted, subject to the official announcement of the scenic area. Jinli Ancient Street is open all day and can be visited for free.
Tour Route
Recommended tour route: Main Gate → Huiling Mausoleum → Liu Bei Hall → Zhuge Liang Hall → Sanyi Temple → Jieyi Tower → Jinli Ancient Street. This route enters from the main gate of the scenic area, first visits Huiling Mausoleum, the tomb of Liu Bei, then follows the central axis to visit Liu Bei Hall and Zhuge Liang Hall in turn to learn about the historical deeds of the monarchs and ministers of Shu Han. Then go to Sanyi Temple to feel the brotherhood of Liu Bei, Guan Yu, and Zhang Fei's peach garden oath, and finally go to Jieyi Tower to watch Sichuan opera performances and visit Jinli Ancient Street to experience the folk customs of Western Sichuan. The whole journey takes about 2-3 hours, allowing you to fully appreciate the historical and cultural charm of Wuhou Temple and the folk customs of Jinli.
Transportation
- Bus: Take buses No. 1, 57, 334, 335, G74, etc., and get off at "Wuhou Temple Station."
- Metro: Take Metro Line 3, get off at "Gaoshenqiao Station," and walk for about 10 minutes to arrive.
- Self-driving: The scenic area has a parking lot at No. 231 Wuhouci Street, with a parking fee of about 10 yuan per hour.
Must-Visit Attractions
- Zhuge Liang Hall: The hall enshrines a statue of Zhuge Liang, with the plaque "Mingchui Yuzhou" hanging, the core attraction of Wuhou Temple, feeling Zhuge Liang's wisdom and loyalty.
- Huiling Mausoleum: The tomb of Liu Bei, the only remaining imperial tomb from the Three Kingdoms period, understanding the history of the founding emperor of Shu Han.
- Jinli Ancient Street: Covering an area of more than 30,000 square meters, with a street length of 550 meters, experiencing the folk customs of Western Sichuan and tasting Chengdu's characteristic snacks.
- Sanyi Temple: Enshrines statues of Liu Bei, Guan Yu, and Zhang Fei, feeling the brotherhood of the peach garden oath, with a typical Western Sichuan residential architectural style.
Tour Tips
- It is recommended to visit in spring (March-May) or autumn (September-November) when Chengdu has a mild climate suitable for outdoor activities.
- 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 the culture of the Three Kingdoms and the history of Wuhou Temple.
- After visiting Wuhou Temple, you can go to Jinli Ancient Street to taste Chengdu's characteristic snacks and buy handicrafts as souvenirs.
- Jinli Ancient Street is brilliantly lit at night, and it is recommended to visit in the evening to feel the charm of the ancient street's night view.
Notes
- Smoking and littering are prohibited in the scenic area; keep the environment clean.
- When visiting cultural relics and historic sites, do not touch or climb to avoid damaging the cultural relics.
- There are many visitors during holidays; please take care of personal belongings and accompany the elderly and children.
- Jinli Ancient Street has a large flow of people, and the ground is slippery; it is recommended to wear non-slip shoes.
- Do not use flash when taking photos to avoid damaging the cultural relics.