White Emperor City
Known as Baidi city or Baidicheng, to a number of people, White Emperor City is an old city ladled with a collection of temples, harbouring the Chinese Yangtze River and Baidicheng is literally a translation which means White Emperor City.
White Emperor City was founded by the militarist Gongsun Shu, who then declared himself Emperor, in the wake of the legend of someone catching sight of a white dragon where the city is located now and this accounts for the kind of historical significance that is deeply enshrined in the many Chinese mystical traditions.
Highlights
The Baidi Temple depicts some ancient architectural styles, with the Entrusting Son's Hall (Tuogu Tang) arguably the most impressive of them all, serving as one of the major highlights to look forward to.
Statues of Liu Bei and Zhung Liang can be witnessed as well, in a recreation of the event from which the Entrusting Son's Hall gets its name, that being Liu Bei entrusting his beloved son to Zhuge Liang.
The Guanxing Ting (Pavilion of the Observation of Stars) is also worth checking out, bearing a lot of historical significance in that it is said to be the sight of Zhuge Liang's observation of the stars, as well as his strategic planning location, where he developed warfare strategies with the deployment of arms.
Something to particularly look out for, if you are indeed planning a visit to the White Emperor City, is how the architecture and construction has been adapted and evolved, with a number of buildings forming a sort of extension or reincarnation of the originals that are now submerged in the water.
The old saying "taking the higher ground" could have its origins in White Emperor City and that simply adds to the allure of significance of the visit, on top of the majestic and unique sights to be enjoyed.
The White Emperor City's Baidi Temple houses a number of other ancient relics to look out for, including the old suspended wooden coffins, the stele-cast forest and famous paintings from varying dynasties.
How to Get There
Baidicheng is now an island so the travelling by cruise ship or ferry is specialized, with the constructed bridge serving as an alternative.
Operating Times: 08:00 - 17:00
Entrance Fees: 70 Yuan
You can extend the fun by going on the cable car, which will take you on a round trip for 17 Yuan extra.
