China Travel – Chengdu Wuhou Shrine (Tips, Photos, and Map)

If you are interested in Chinese history, particularly the Three Kingdoms period (220-280 AD), then you should include Wuhou Shrine on your Chengdu travel list.

Introduction to Wuhou Shrine

Wuhou Shrine and Zhuge Liang

Wuhou Shrine in Chengdu was originally built to commemorate Zhuge Liang (181-234 AD), the Prime Minister of the Shu State during the Three Kingdoms period (220-280 AD).

Zhuge Liang was a renowned politician and military strategist, who was posthumously honored with the title “Wuhou,” meaning “Marquis of Wuxiang.”

His notable works include essays such as “Shifan” and “Jiezi Shu,” and he is celebrated as a model of loyalty and wisdom in Chinese traditional culture.

Wuhou Shrine and Liu Bei

During the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), Wuhou Shrine housed the tomb and temple of Liu Bei. Today, the shrine also features the San Yi Temple and 50 statues of Shu heroes.

Liu Bei (161-223 AD) established the Shu State (221-263 AD) and ascended to the throne. Through relentless efforts, he occupied Jingzhou and Yizhou after the Battle of Red Cliffs, founding the Shu Han Dynasty.

However, after the death of Guan Yu at the hands of the Eastern Wu, Liu Bei ignored the advice of his ministers and sought revenge, leading to a significant defeat at the Battle of Yiling. He passed away in 223 AD at Baidi City at the age of 63, posthumously honored as Emperor Zhaolie.

Liu Bei was known for his broad-mindedness, generosity, and perseverance. His final act of entrusting the world to Zhuge Liang was praised by Chen Shou as one of the greatest deeds of all time. Liu Bei is a prominent figure in many literary works. The Chengdu Wuhou Shrine includes the Temple of Emperor Zhaolie to honor him.

Wuhou Shrine and the Three Kingdoms

Today, Wuhou Shrine is more than just a magnificent building; it serves as a museum, the largest in China for displaying Three Kingdoms artifacts and introducing the history of the Three Kingdoms period.

The Wuhou Shrine Museum also features the famous traditional market street, Jinli. Jinli Street is adjacent to the east side of Wuhou Shrine and was originally established during the Shu State, known as the “First Street of Shu.”

The street is now lined with various Sichuan snacks, teahouses, coffee shops, bars, and inns. Strolling through the street offers a delightful experience of old Chengdu during the Three Kingdoms era.

How to Get There and Ticket Information

• Ticket Price: 50 RMB
• Opening Hours: 08:00-17:30
• How to Get There: Take bus lines 1, 57, 82, 334, or 335 to Wuhou Shrine Station, or bus lines 8 or 21 to Wuhou Shrine East Street Station.
• Address: 231 Wuhouci Street, Wuhou District, Chengdu, Sichuan Province

Virtual Short Tour of Wuhou Shrine

Temple of Emperor Zhaolie

Entering through the south gate, the first thing you will see is the Temple of Emperor Zhaolie, which is dedicated to Liu Bei, the founder of the Shu State during the Three Kingdoms period.

Temple of Liu Bei

Follow the path, and you will arrive at the Temple of Liu Bei. In the center of the hall stands a statue of Liu Bei, who is depicted as a tall figure seated majestically. This statue is the tallest in the entire temple, standing at three meters high. It is covered in gold leaf, adorned with a nine-crown headdress, and holds a crown in both hands.

Zhuge Hall

The Zhuge Hall (dedicated to Zhuge Liang) is a highly traditional temple structure. It consists of a main hall surrounded by six groups of buildings: the main hall, the east wing, the west wing, the bell tower, the drum tower, and the Kongming Hall. The total building area is 1,588 square meters.

Inside the shrine, the statue of Zhuge Liang was cast in the eleventh year of the Kangxi reign (1672). He is depicted holding a feather fan, wearing a black scarf, dressed in a crane-patterned robe, exuding a scholarly and refined demeanor, fitting of a great general.

San Yi Temple

San Yi Temple is a mixed architectural style building with an area of 569 square meters. It is constructed based on the descriptions from the novel Romance of the Three Kingdoms.

San Yi Temple

San Yi Temple is named after Liu Bei, Guan Yu, and Zhang Fei, who swore brotherhood in the peach garden. The temple was originally built during the Kangxi period of the Qing Dynasty and once featured four courtyards and five halls, showcasing grand scale. Today, only the Worship Hall and the Main Hall remain, arranged in a traditional courtyard layout.

Liu Bei Tomb

This tomb is the Hui Ling (or Hui Mausoleum) of Liu Bei, the Emperor Zhaolie of Shu Han.

Hui Ling consists of several buildings: a screen wall, a mountain gate, a sacred road, and the tomb chamber, arranged along the central axis from south to north.

In front of the tomb stands a screen wall. Upon entering, you will see a plaque inscribed with “Shu Han Emperor Zhaolie Mausoleum.” Proceeding along the sacred path, you will reach the tomb chamber, where the inscription reads “Emperor Zhaolie Mausoleum.”

The tomb is surrounded by a gray brick wall, with a brick pathway leading to the Zhuge Liang Hall.