White Emperor City (Baidi City): An Ancient City of Millennia in Chinese Poetry

Written by Natalia | Updated October 16,2025

While cruising along the Yangtze River, there’s one site that may amaze you with its grand beauty: the Wite Emperor City (Baidi City). From past to present, this place has always been praised as the “City of Poetry”, since countless poets have been inspired and left their immortal verses here, with the roaring river. Indeed, the city is a treasured place with enormous cultural and historical heritage. And for people who want to explore China’s magnificent landscapes along the Three Gorges, it’s definitely a must-visit destination.

This guide will include everything you may want to know about this site. And if you’re just planning a Yangtze River cruise tour, then you’ll definitely find something useful here. Now, get ready, it’s time to dive deeper into Baidi City’s infinite charm.

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• White Emperor City Facts
• History and Legends of White City
• Attractions in White Emperor City
• Best Time to Visit White Emperor City
• How to Get There
• Attractions Near White Emperor City
• FAQs about White Emperor City
• Tour White Emperor City with China Xian Tour

White Emperor City Facts

• Chinese Name of White Emperor City: Baidi Cheng (白帝城)
• White Emperor City Location: North Bank of Yangtze River, Mouth of Qutang Gorge, Fengjie County, Chongqing City, China
• White Emperor City Opening Hours:8:30 ~ 17:30
• White Emperor City Ticket Price:

Peak Season(Mar.-Oct.): CNY 100(full-price ticket), CNY 50(half-price ticket)

Low Season(Nov.-Feb.): CNY 60(full-price ticket), CNY 30(half-price ticket)

• Suggested Visiting Time in White Emperor City: 2–3 hours
• Best Time to VisitWhite Emperor City: March to May (with vivid spring scenery), September to November (with clear and refreshing autumn)

History and Legends of White City

Origin of the Name “White Emperor”

The name “White Emperor City (Baidi City)” originated from a historical legend at the end of the Western Han Dynasty. The White Emperor City was originally named Ziyang City. It was built by Gongsun Shu, who ruled the Shu region (Sichuan) at the end of the Western Han Dynasty, and he stationed troops and stored grain here for defense.

It is said that Gongsun Shu aspired to be emperor, and then he ordered his close followers to spread a rumor—there is an ancient well in the city that often emits white mist, like a white dragon soaring into the sky from the well. And then he declared that it is an auspicious omen for him to “emerge from the well as a white dragon and indicate his emperorship.”

Later, in the first year of Jianwu (25 AD), he proclaimed himself emperor and named himself “White Emperor” and changed the name of Ziyang City to “White Emperor City”.

The Story of Liu Bei’s Entrustment

In 223 AD, after Liu Bei (who ruled the Shu Kingdom during the Three Kingdom Period) was defeated at Yiling, so he had no choice but to retreat to Baidi City. And after that, he was critically ill and saw the coming of death. In the very end of his life, he summoned his prime minister, Zhuge Liang and solemnly entrusted his son, Liu Chan, and the whole country to him.

This dying ruler left his last words: “If my son proves capable, assist him. If he lacks the ability, you may assume the throne yourself”. And cried the exhausted Zhuge Liang, who eventually accepted the order and vowed to be eternally loyal to Liu’s family and the whole country.

This event becomes a famous historical allusion as “Liu Bei entrusting his son to Zhuge Liang at the White Emperor City,” and it suggests Liu Bei’s ultimate wisdom in recognizing talents and Zhuge Liang’s unwavering loyalty. This historical legend endowed Baidi City with its rich historical significance and fame.

Poetic Fame of White Emperor City

White Emperor City (Baidi City) is also renowned as the “City of Poetry.” Many famous poets like Li Bai, Du Fu, and Su Shi visited here, leaving immortal verses such as “Leaving at dawn the White Emperor crowned with cloud” and “White Emperor City towers over the Three Gorges.” These poems have attracted countless people to trace the footsteps of literary giants and experience the magnificent scenery of this city.

Attractions in White Emperor City

Ancient Temple and Gates of White Emperor City

Situated atop Baidi City’s plateau, the White Emperor Temple is the core architectural complex of the White Emperor City Scenic Area. It was originally a temple built by the locals in memory of Gongsun Shu (who proclaimed himself “White Emperor”) in the early Eastern Han Dynasty. There are many halls in the temple, such as the Mingliang Hall and the Tuogu Hall, reflecting the culture of loyalty and righteousness of ancient people.

The gate of the White Emperor Temple is grand and imposing, exuding an ancient charm. Its architectural styles are mostly typical of the Ming and Qing Dynasties, with upturned eaves and corners and elaborately carved beams and painted pillars. The golden plaque of “White Emperor Temple” hanging high above the door is dazzling, and a pair of majestic stone lions are in front of the door to guard it.

Cultural Relics & Statues

Inside the Baidi Temple, there are many statues of renowned figures from the Three Kingdoms period, such as Liu Bei, Zhuge Liang, Guan Yu, and Zhang Fei. These statues are so vivid that they make the history concrete, allowing visitors to deeply feel the loyalty and righteousness of the culture.

Besides, the Stele Forest gathers precious inscriptions from various historical periods. It is an open-air treasure house of calligraphy art. Here are over seventy stone tablets on display, covering various calligraphic styles such as seal script, clerical script, regular script, running script, and cursive script. The contents are mostly poems inscribed by ancient poets about the White Emperor City and the Three Gorges. Here, one can experience the infinite charm of Chinese calligraphy and the profound sense of history.

Scenic Views of the Yangtze River

The highest tower on the walls of the Baidi City is the best spot to enjoy the most magnificent and perilous Qutang Gorge among the Three Gorges and overlook the surging momentum of the Yangtze River. Besides, since on the back of the Chinese note of 10 RMB is the image of Kui Gate, you can take it out to have a picture of the real one with the image on the note.

Best Time to Visit White Emperor City

The spring and autumn seasons (March to May and September to November) are the best periods to visit White Emperor City and also the best times for a Yangtze River Cruise.

From March to May, the temperature is moderate. The lush greenery in the mountains makes the White Emperor City look particularly poetic. The river water is in the middle during this period, where you can see the grandeur of Kui Gate. This period is very suitable for hiking and photography.

September to November is also a great time. In autumn, you can enjoy the scenery under the clearest sky. Even pictures taken in this period can be more vivid. And with autumn’s magic, mountains on both banks will also be ablaze with energetic colors. Such a dream-like view can form an even picturesque scene with the emerald green river water.

Suggested Yangtze River cruise tours with the White Emperor City:

• 4-Day Chongqing Tour with Yangtze River Cruise
• 5 Days Yangtze River Cruise Tour from Yichang to Chongqing

How to Get There

Option 1: Take the high-speed rail

You can first take high-speed train to travel from Chongqing to Fengjie Railway Station. And once arrive, you can take tourist shuttle buses or taxi (ride-hailing cars) to go to the Baidi City Scenic Area.

Option 2: Take the long-distance bus

There are also long-distance buses from Chongqing to Fengjie County. And similarly, take buses or taxi to reach to the scenic area.

Option 3: Self-driving (Free and Flexible)

Self-driving is also possible, but for foreign travelers it may be a little complex to get the driving license. But anyway, you can use a navigation app (such as Autonavi Map or Baidu Map), and directly get there.

Option 4: Take a cruise on the Three Gorges

This would be the most immersive and rewarding way to explore Baidi City. Normally, a cruise would start from Chongqing or Yichang, and during the few-day trip, you’ll get to take an excursion to the Baidi City. And most importantly, the cruise also allows you to visit other scenic spots such as Ghost City in Fengdu, that’s why the cruise has always been recognized as the best choice to have a comprehensive and in-depth tour of the Three Gorges.

Attractions Near White Emperor City

• Ghost City in Fengdu: A folk cultural tourism attraction themed on the Chinese netherworld and ghost culture legends.
• Shibaozhai Zhongxian County: A magnificent 12-story wooden pavilion built against the mountain and standing by the river, it is hailed as the pearl on the Yangtze River.

FAQs about White Emperor City

Why is White Emperor City called the “City of Poems”?

Because many renowned poets like Li Bai and Du Fu visited here and wrote immortal verses here, making it a living anthology of Chinese poetry.

From which dynasties do most of the White Emperor Temple buildings date?

Ming and Qing dynasties

Where is White Emperor City located along the Yangtze River and the Three Gorges?

It is located in the north bank of the Yangtze River, right at the western entrance to Qutang Gorge.

How did the Three Gorges Dam project affect White Emperor City and its surroundings?

Reshape the layout of towns. It brings huge benefits of clean energy and flood control in terms of ecology.

Is there an easier way to reach the temple without climbing stairs?

You can sit on the local bamboo chair, two people will carry it up to reach the temple. This method requires payment.

Where can visitors get the best photos of the Kui Gate at Qutang Gorge?

The highest tower on the walls of the Baidi City

Tour White Emperor City with China Xian Tour

The White Emperor City has a rich cultural and historical heritage, and it’s definitely a must-visit place along the Yangtze River. To have the best Baidi City tour, consider traveling with China Xian Tour. Our guide will be there for you 24/7 to take care of everything for you. So all you need to do along the way is to enjoy your worry-free trip while creating unforgettable memories in this amazing site.