The History of White Emperor City

The History of White Emperor City – Brief Introduction

White Emperor City, located on the north bank of Yangtze River, is a well- known tourist attraction of Three Gorges. White Emperor City was first built by Gongsun Shu in late Western Han dynasty and named it Ziyang City. It is the best place to enjoy the scenery of Kweimen. In the history, some famous poets like Li bai, Du Fu, Bai Juyi, Liu Yuxi, Su Shi, Huang Tingjian and Lu You ever came to visit the city and indited many poems. So White Emperor City also named "Poem City".

When the ship go downstream, pass by Fengjie, you can see there are some cornice pavilions among the lush trees on the peak of mountain. That's the famous tourist attraction of Three Gorges – White Emperor City.

The History of White Emperor City – Origin of the Name

The name of White Emperor City first appeared in late Western Han Dynasty. When Wang Mang usurped the emperor, one of his great understrapper Gongsun Shu set up a separatist regime in Sichuan province. In "the land of abundance", Gongsun Shu gradually expanded his rights. At last, he wanted to be the emperor. He came to Qutang Gorge by riding a horse and found it is an important strategic place. So Gongsun Shu expanded the rampart and strengthened the defensive. Later, he heard there is a well in the city, and the smoke came out from the well looks like a dragon fly into the sky. Gongsun Shu said that's the sign of he would be the emperor. So he declared himself as White Emperor, named the city "White Emperor City" and renamed the mountain as White Emperor Mountain. During Gongsun Shu on rule, there were many fights in many places, except White Emperor City. So the people in White Emperor City built the White Emperor Temple, put Gongsun Shu's statue in it to commemorate him.

The History of White Emperor City – History Stories

In the Three Kingdoms Period, Liu Bei was failed in the battle with Wu Kingdom and retreated to White Emperor City. He built the Yong An palace in White Emperor City to live in. Later, he was died for depression. Before dying, Liu Bei entrusted his son and the kingdom to Zhuge Liang. In Ming Dynasty, the statue of Gongsun Shu was replaced by Liu Bei's. And the statues of Guan Yu, Zhang Fei and Zhu Geliang are presented in the temple. But the name of White Emperor Temple didn't change.

The scenery of White Emperor City is as beautiful as a picture and there are many historical relics in the city. So White Emperor City has become a must-go place for the tourists of Three Gorges. Now, there are some Ming and Qing Dynasties buildings, like Mingliang hall, Wuhou Shrine, Observing Star Pavilion as well as the statues of Liu Bei, Zhuge Liang, Guan Yu and Zhang Fei.

After the Three Gorges Dam Project completed, White Emperor City was surrounded by water in four sides and become the heaven on earth. The scenery becomes more beautiful than before.