Why is the Wuhou Memorial Temple special?
Located in the outskirts of Chengdu and next to Nanjiao Park, Wuhou Memorial Temple is a complex of pavilions and statues commemorating figures from the Three Kingdoms period (AD 220-80).
Wuhou Memorial Temple Highlights
The main body of the temple is divided into five sections, the First Gate, the Second Gate, the Hall of Liu Bei, the Corridor, and the Hall of Zhuge Liang, all of which run from south to north.
The First Gate
Above the first gate to Wuhou Memorial Temple is a plaque dedicated to the memory of Liu Bei and Zhuge Liang. Zhuge Liang (181 - 234) was one of the greatest strategists of post-Han China, as well as a statesman, an engineer and a scholar. Zhuge is an uncommon two-character compound family name. Legends recounted that Zhuge Liang joined Liu Bei only after Liu visited him.
The Second Gate
After entering the Second Gate, there stand thirty seven stone tablets, each measuring 63cm (H) by 58cm (W) and, inlaid into the gate's walls on which are engraved two famous calligraphic texts, the "Pre- Expedition Declaration" and the "Post-Expedition Declaration", both of which were inscribed by Zhuge Liang as a military general of Shu Dynasty.
The Hall of Liu Bei
In the middle of the Hall of Liu Bei stands the gilt clay statue of the emperor himself. Statues of his two celebrated generals Guan Yu and Zhang Fei are in side halls. Liu Bei, Guan Yu and Zhang Fei swore brotherhood at the Peach Garden to destroy the rebels and to defend the Han Dynasty.
The Corridor
The corridor is next to the Hall of Liu Bei, situated one step lower than the latter. Here are also some antithetical couplets written by eminent calligraphers hanging in the Corridor.
The Hall of Zhuge Liang
In the Hall of Zhuge Liang, gilded statues of Zhuge Liang, his son and grandson are presented. The main role Zhuge Liang, historically regarded as a famous thoughtful and foresighted leader with loyalty to his country, stands in the middle.
The Tomb of Liu Bei
With a name “Hui Mausoleum”, the tomb of Liu Bei enjoys a height of 12m, in front of which stands a gravestone and a coffin chamber.