Wuhou Shrine (武侯祠), located in Chengdu, is a significant historical site that commemorates Zhuge Liang (诸葛亮), the renowned military strategist of the Shu Han kingdom during the Three Kingdoms period. First built during the Northern and Southern Dynasties, this shrine also honors Liu Bei (刘备), the founding emperor of Shu Han, and other heroes from that era. Visiting Wuhou Shrine offers a rich cultural and historical experience, but it’s even more enjoyable when paired with a stroll through the neighboring Jinli Ancient Street (锦里古街). Here’s everything you need to know before you visit, including tips on how to make the most of your trip.
Travel Tips
Familiarize yourself with the history of the Three Kingdoms – Understanding the stories and legends behind the figures commemorated at Wuhou Shrine is crucial to appreciating the site. If you’re not already knowledgeable, consider hiring a guide or listening to an on-site explanation.
Avoid the crowds – During holidays, the shrine can get extremely crowded, making it difficult to take photos, especially of the famous red walls. For a quieter visit, arrive early in the morning.
Capture stunning night views – While you may want to visit the shrine during the day, the nearby Jinli Ancient Street (锦里古街) comes alive in the evening when the lanterns light up, creating the perfect backdrop for evening photography.
Location & Tickets
Address: Take Metro Line 5 and exit at Gaoshengqiao Station (高升桥站) (Exit C). From there, it’s about a 10-minute walk to the entrance of Wuhou Shrine (武侯祠).
Ticket prices: Full-price tickets are ¥50, while students and children aged 6-18 can enter for ¥30.
Opening hours: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM, with the last ticket check at 5:00 PM.
Guide Services
Live guide: For a guided tour, you can either join a group tour for ¥20 per person (minimum of 10 people), or hire a private guide for ¥50 (up to three people). The tour lasts approximately one hour.
Audio guide: You can rent an electronic audio guide from various points at the shrine for ¥30, with a deposit of ¥200. You’ll also need to rent a wired headphone for ¥12.
Suggested Routes
Route 1 (2 hours): A focused tour of the key highlights within Wuhou Shrine.
Main gate → Tang and Ming dynasty steles (唐碑/明碑) → Second gate → Corridor of civil and military officials (文臣廊/武将廊) → Liu Bei Hall (刘备殿) → Zhang Fei Hall (张飞殿) → Stele of Zhuge Liang’s memorial essay (《出师表》石碑) → Guan Yu Hall (关羽殿) → Passage Hall → The “Winning Hearts” couplet (攻心联) → Zhuge Liang Hall (诸葛亮殿) → Sanyi Temple (三义庙) → Xi Shen Fang (喜神方) → Ancient Wisdom Exhibition (明良千古展) → Hui Tomb (惠陵) and Red Wall Alley (红墙夹道) → Visitor Center → Exit.
Route 2 (3 hours): Wuhou Shrine plus a visit to Jinli Ancient Street.
From the main gate, walk through to Zhuge Liang Hall (诸葛亮殿) → Continue to Hui Tomb (惠陵) and the Red Wall (红墙) → Visit Kongming Garden (孔明苑) → Sanyi Temple (三义庙) → Walk to Jinli Ancient Street (锦里古街) → End at the Jieyi Building (结义楼) → Exit through the pedestrian bridge.
Route 3 (4 hours): A detailed tour of Wuhou Shrine and Jinli Ancient Street.
Main gate → Explore the key halls → Zhuge Liang Hall (诸葛亮殿) → Sanyi Temple (三义庙) → Circle around Hui Tomb (惠陵) and the Red Wall (红墙) → Visit the Wuhou Shrine Art Gallery (武侯祠美术馆) → Liu Xiang Tomb (刘湘墓) → Finish with a stroll through Jinli Ancient Street (锦里古街) → Jieyi Building (结义楼) → Pedestrian bridge → Exit.
Food Recommendations
Enjoy hotpot at Wuhou Shrine – After your tour, head to Yueman DaJiang Hotpot (月满大江千层肚火锅), a popular spot among locals, right near the shrine. Their signature dish, layered beef tripe, is a must-try.
Explore Yulin Street (玉林街) – After your meal, take a bike ride or taxi to Yulin Street and try the local favorite San Niang Spicy Rabbit Head (三孃麻辣兔头) (¥12 per head). You can also buy rabbit legs or “silk-wrapped” rabbit to take home for friends or family.
Try local skewers – Once you’ve explored Yulin, take the metro to Zhouji Bamboo Stick Skewers (周记竹签串串) for a delicious and budget-friendly meal. This spot is famous for its mouth-watering skewers, loved by both tourists and locals alike.