Du Fu Thatched Cottage (杜甫草堂) is a museum built on the site where the famous Tang Dynasty poet Du Fu resided during his time in Chengdu. From 759 to 765 AD, Du Fu lived here to escape the turmoil of the An Lushan Rebellion. The cottage has been rebuilt multiple times after being destroyed over the centuries and now serves as a museum that combines a commemorative shrine and the appearance of the poet’s former residence.
Key attractions within the museum include the Poetry History Hall (诗史堂), Ministry of Works Shrine (工部祠), and Shaoling Stele Pavilion (少陵碑亭). The museum houses over 30,000 various documents and more than 2,000 cultural relics, including exquisite editions of Du Fu’s poetry from the Song, Yuan, Ming, and Qing dynasties. It also features reproductions and handwritten copies, as well as modern print editions in 15 different languages and over 120 Chinese editions published in Korea and Japan.
As the most comprehensive and well-preserved collection related to Du Fu’s life and works, Chengdu’s Du Fu Thatched Cottage has gained international fame, celebrating the legacy of the “Poet Saint” and ensuring his enduring influence on future generations.
Travel Information about Du Fu Thatched Cottage
Ticket and Opening Hours
Admission Fee: 50 RMB
Opening Hours: 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM (from June 7 to October 7, open until 8:00 PM on Fridays and Saturdays); ticket sales stop 20 minutes before closing.
Access to the Site
- Location: 37 Qinghua Road, Qingyang District, Chengdu.
Metro: Take Metro Line 4 to Caotang North Road Station, then walk to the site.
Tourist Shuttle: There are special tourist lines available, including routes from Du Fu Thatched Cottage to Wuhou Shrine, Jinsha Site Museum, and Yongling.
Scenic Rating
- Cultural: ★★★★
- Beautiful: ★★★★
- Unique: ★★★
- Leisure: ★★★
- Romantic: ★★
- Exciting: ★
Useful Tips
Guided Tours: The museum offers guided services daily from 8:30 AM to 5:30 PM. The rates are as follows:
- Mandarin tour for 1-5 people: 100 RMB per session
- Foreign language tour: 150 RMB per session
Parking Facilities: There are professional underground parking lots at both the south and north entrances of the museum:
- South Gate Parking: Located at No. 2 Caotang Road, it has 300 underground parking spaces for cars and 12 surface spaces for tourist buses.
- North Gate Parking: Located at No. 37 Qinghua Road, it has 200 underground parking spaces for cars.
Highlights of Du Fu Thatched Cottage
Da Xie (Grand Office)
Da Xie (大廨) is an ancient administrative building where officials conducted their duties. It was established to honor Du Fu, who once held an official position. In the center of the building stands a bronze statue of Du Fu in a kneeling position, depicting his lean physique. The statue’s abstract and exaggerated artistic style reflects the poet’s troubled life and his deep concern for the country and its people. The surrounding walls are adorned with numerous couplets and panoramic views of the Thatched Cottage.
Shi Shi Tang (Poetry Hall)
Shi Shi Tang (诗史堂) serves as the central structure of the Du Fu Thatched Cottage memorial complex. In the hall’s center, there is a half-length bronze statue of Du Fu created by the renowned sculptor Liu Kaiqu. The statue gazes forward, its expression filled with the same concern for the nation and its people that permeates the poet’s verses.
Flanking the statue are couplets written by Comrade Zhu De, and between the pillars hang rubbings and woodblock prints of Du Fu’s likeness from various dynasties, alongside couplets commemorating the poet. The exhibition rooms on either side display “Du Fu Poetry Paintings” and calligraphy by modern artists.
Each year during the Spring Festival, the Thatched Cottage hosts a grand Cultural Festival in honor of Du Fu, celebrating poetry culture alongside lively traditional Spring Festival activities. This event allows visitors to experience the charm of traditional poetry while enjoying the festive atmosphere. Key activities include a worship ceremony, poetry recitations, bonsai exhibitions, guided tours of the garden, and a demonstration of Tang dynasty cuju (an ancient form of football).
Gongbu Ci (Ministry of Works Shrine)
Exiting Shi Shi Tang and passing through a small wooden gate, visitors arrive at Gongbu Ci (工部祠), the shrine dedicated to Du Fu. This hall features a statue of Du Fu and is adorned with couplets on the walls, including one by General Chen Yi that reads, “New pines lament for not reaching a height of a thousand feet; the vile bamboo deserves to be cut down in the thousands,” flanking a wooden portrait of Du Fu.
In the center of the shrine stands a clay statue of Du Fu created during the Qing Dynasty. On either side of this statue are representations of Northern Song poet Huang Tingjian and Southern Song poet Lu You, both sculpted in the Qing era. The shrine also houses two stone carvings of Du Fu: one depicts him with a robust physique and dignified demeanor, while the other presents a lean face with deep-set eyes.
To the east of Gongbu Ci is a small thatched pavilion known as the Shaoling Beiting. Inside, there is a stone tablet inscribed with the characters “Shaoling Caotang,” which is said to have been personally written by Prince Guo, the son of Emperor Kangxi and brother of Emperor Yongzheng.
Related Details:
The reason three poets are honored together in the shrine is that having only Du Fu would render him too solitary as a guest in a foreign land. Both Huang Tingjian and Lu You are celebrated poets with significant achievements in their own right, albeit from different dynasties. By gathering the three in one hall, they can engage in discussions about poetry, alleviating any sense of loneliness. Additionally, they can all receive offerings and share in the incense of worship.
Thatched Cottage
The thatched cottage, where Du Fu once lived, has long since disappeared. The structure we see today is a reconstruction based on Du Fu’s poetic descriptions and the layout established during the Ming Dynasty’s renovation of the cottage.
Surrounded by flowing streams and shaded by lush trees, the cottage features bamboo fences and rustic gates, creating a serene atmosphere reminiscent of Du Fu’s poetry. The landscape evokes lines like “The southern and northern homes are surrounded by spring waters” and “A winding river embraces the village,” as well as “To settle, one must find woods and springs” and “By the old man’s fence, the riverbank curves back.” The stones still bear the checkers drawn by the poet’s wife, and the fishing rods of his young children rest against the fence, adding to the idyllic charm of this pastoral scene.
Near the thatched cottage, the Plum Garden is home to various species of plum blossoms. Every winter, it hosts the Red Plum Art Exhibition. In addition to admiring the vibrant and diverse plum flowers, visitors can also participate in activities such as plum blossom blessings, painting plum blossom-themed makeup, tasting plum wine, and creating plum blossom art arrangements.
Visitor Guide for Du Fu Thatched Cottage
Accommodation Options
While Du Fu Thatched Cottage is located in the suburbs, there are numerous hotels and guesthouses nearby, offering a wide range of options.
Tianchenlou Hotel (天辰楼宾馆):Located at 38 Qinghua Road, Chengdu, Tianchenlou Hotel features a unique decor inspired by the Tang Dynasty. It is a themed hotel dedicated to Du Fu’s culture, providing comfortable accommodations at moderate prices. The hotel is conveniently accessible by public transport.
Yinqi Tang Hotel (隐栖堂酒店): Situated at 59 Qinghua Road, Yinqi Tang Hotel is located in the well-known Tang and Song Cultural Street in Chengdu, offering convenient transportation. This hotel highlights traditional Chinese culture and boasts nearly 100 uniquely styled New Chinese-style guest rooms to meet diverse guest needs. It also features five artistic spaces that celebrate traditional Chinese tea, painting, incense, ceramics, and elegant living, seamlessly blending unique lifestyle elements with elegance to create a poetic experience of life.
What to do
Visitor Center and Souvenirs：At the “Tang Style Heritage” Visitor Service Center, visitors can purchase souvenirs related to the Tang Dynasty and the famous poet Du Fu. Items available for sale include Tang Sancai pottery, wooden carvings, ceramics, and collections of Du Fu’s poetry. These make great keepsakes to remember your visit.
Postcards and Mail Services: Tourists can buy postcards from local shops within the scenic area and send them to friends and family. The shop owners will assist in mailing the letters to the post office.
Wanfo Tower: To the east of the Du Fu Thatched Cottage Museum, you can find Wanfo Tower set amidst a camphor forest. From its balcony, visitors can enjoy stunning views of Chengdu, making it an excellent spot for capturing panoramic photos.
Shadow Puppetry: Inside the cottage area, there are small stalls selling shadow puppetry. These stalls set up a small stage where visitors can try their hand at manipulating shadow puppets for free.
Night Tours: From August to October each year, the scenic area hosts “Night Tours of the Cottage.” This event features a large-scale lighting show throughout the garden, with colorful lanterns adorning the pathways. Along the way, visitors will encounter women dressed in classical attire, smiling and posing for photos with guests, adding to the enchanting atmosphere.