Du Fu's Cottage
Why visit here?
Du Fu's Cottage is where China's most famous poet, Du Fu, lived for almost four years between 759 and 762. In this refuge by the Huanhua Stream, he wrote more than 240 poems that marked the peak of his literary career, combining his artistic genius with observations of everyday life.
The site, rebuilt in 1500 by the Ming dynasty on the original ruins, covers 24 hectares of classical gardens. Under a grove of bamboo trees, the Pavilion of Poetic History houses more than 30,000 volumes dedicated to the study of his work, while the Poetry Museum displays calligraphy and antique editions.
One of its most photographed corners is the Porcelain Wall, a blue and white tile wall that frames the landscape of ponds and pavilions. The statue of Du Fu, located in the center of the garden, is visited by students and travelers who, according to local tradition, touch his staff to receive literary inspiration.
To stroll through this place is to enter the mind of the poet who wrote: “Three nights I dreamed of you, dear friend, and when I awoke, the moon was shining on my hut.” In spring, plum and cherry blossoms color the landscape, creating the perfect atmosphere to understand why Du Fu is considered the “sage of poetry.”
Pros & Cons
- Considered a "holy site" in Chinese literature, this is the actual former residence of the famous Tang dynasty poet Du Fu. He spent nearly 4 years here writing over 240 poems, many still studied today.
- The central attraction is the reconstructed thatched cottage, plus you'll find poetry calligraphy hallways, a large mural of Du Fu's life, and statues of other famous poets.
- More than just sightseeing: join a hands-on herbal workshop in Du Fu's new traditional medicine garden, drink herbal tea, or make your own sachet.
- Easy to access and family-friendly – just 10 minutes' walk from Metro Line 4.
- The museum is closed every Monday for maintenance (except national holidays).
- The iconic thatched cottage is not an original. It has been rebuilt and restored over centuries. It undergoes periodic maintenance (roughly every 2 years), and during that time, you can still view it but not enter.
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Du Fu's Cottage
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