Baidi Town

Introducing Baidi Town

Baidi Town, located in Fengjie County, Chongqing, is a town with very favorable natural conditions. The town is 20 kilometers away from the new county seat. The Caotang River in the town flows into the Yangtze River at Baidi City. The county borders Caotang Town to the east, faces Yongle Town across the Yangtze River to the south, connects to the Baidi City Scenic Area to the west, and is adjacent to Fenhe Town to the north. Baidi Town currently has 15 kilometers of city and county-level roads, 26 kilometers of township roads, and 231.39 kilometers of village-level roads, with roads connecting every village. The Yuba Road runs east-west through the jurisdiction and is the main route connecting the new county seat and Wuxi County; after the completion of the Wanyi Expressway, the total length within the county will be 6.8 kilometers; after the completion of the Fengxi Expressway, it will pass through three villages including Jiupan.

Climate and best time to travel

Climate: Mid-subtropical humid monsoon climate

Best time to travel: All seasons

Recommended number of days and locations for visiting

1-3 hours

Tickets

free

Attraction opening hours

All day

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Most Popular FAQs for Baidi Town

What is the history and significance of this attraction/city?

Baidi City (White Emperor City) sits on Baidi Mountain on the north bank of the Yangtze at the west entrance of Qutang Gorge. It was originally called Ziyang City. In the late Western Han, Gongsun Shu declared himself “White Emperor” after seeing what he believed to be auspicious white vapor, and renamed the city Baidi. Over time it became famous as a retreat of poets and politicians, especially during the Tang dynasty, and many poets left inscriptions or verses here. Liu Bei, the Shu Kingdom ruler, is said to have died or entrusted his heir here, adding to its Three Kingdoms lore. Its strategic and symbolic location at Qutang Gorge’s mouth and its cultural richness earned it being called a “Poem City.”

Where is it located and how do I get there (metro, bus, taxi, walking)?

Baidi City is in Fengjie County, Chongqing, on the north bank of the Yangtze River, at the mouth of Qutang Gorge. It is about 8 km east of Fengjie town. Many Yangtze River cruises stop here, where passengers disembark and take a short bus or shuttle up to the hill. Overland, one can drive or take local buses from Fengjie to Baidi Town, then walk or use cable car to ascend the hill.

What are the opening hours and best times to visit?

• Opening hours: about 08:00 to 17:00.
• The scenic area (Baidi + Qutang Gorge) is listed as 08:30 to 17:00 in some sources.
• Best time: Spring and autumn when weather is pleasant and views are clearer; also early mornings for fewer crowds and mist.

What is the entrance fee/ticket price, and how to buy tickets (online/offline)?

• Entrance fee: ~ ¥120 per person.
• In some listings, scenic area price is ~ ¥90 for Baidi + Qutang Gorge composite ticket.
• Around ¥70 is noted for Baidi City entrance and ¥17 for round-trip cable car in one source.
• Tickets can be purchased at ticket offices at the site or via cruise shore excursion packages and travel platforms.

Do I need to book tickets in advance, and how far in advance?

Booking in advance is advisable for cruise shore excursions and busy periods (weekends, holidays) to ensure timed entry and transport. For off-peak visits, you may purchase upon arrival.

How much time is needed to fully explore it?

A typical shore visit may last 1.5 to 2 hours to visit the temple complex, enjoy views, read inscriptions, and walk the hill. If combining with Qutang Gorge viewing, allow 2–3 hours.

What are the must-see highlights or main areas inside?

• Tuogu Hall (Entrusting Son Hall) — commemorates Liu Bei entrusting his son to Zhuge Liang.
• Mingliang Palace — historically where Gongsun Shu was worshipped and later replaced by statues of Shu figures.
• Wuhou Temple, Guanxing Pavilion — parts of the temple complex.
• Stele Forest / Stele Collection — calligraphic steles, inscriptions by various dynasties.
• Observation terraces / viewing platforms for Kuimen and Qutang Gorge panoramic views.
• Cable Car / Pathways up Baidi Hill for easier access and scenic ascent.

Are guided tours or audio guides available (and in which languages)?

Shore excursion tours usually come with commentary (often bilingual or English) as part of the cruise arrangement. Local guides in Chinese and some with English are available. Audio guides are less documented.

What are the best viewpoints or photography spots?

• The view of Kui Gate (Kuimen) is iconic — use a 10-RMB note for reference photo.
• Terraces on Baidi Hill overlooking Qutang Gorge cliffs and river.
• From Tuogu Hall and Mingliang Palace looking outward to the gorge.
• At dusk or dawn when the gorge walls and shadows accentuate the peaks and river.

What is the recommended route or itinerary inside?

• Disembark from cruise → take shuttle up hill or cable car → visit Tuogu Hall → walk through temple complex (Mingliang, Wuhou, Stele Forest) → go to observation terraces for Kuimen view → return down hill to dock.

Are night visits, light shows, or special tours available?

Night-time illumination or nighttime visits are not commonly mentioned; typical visits happen during daylight hours. Special cultural events might occur on holiday evenings.

Is it crowded, and when are the least crowded times/days to visit?

• Crowds peak during Yangtze cruise seasons, holidays, weekends.
• Weekdays, early mornings, and off-peak months are quieter.

What facilities are available (toilets, food, water, rest areas, shops)?

Facilities include ticket offices, walkways and paths, restrooms, visitor centers, souvenir shops, and eateries near the base and within the scenic area. Cable car stations also have waiting/rest areas.

Is the attraction accessible for elderly, children, or disabled visitors?

The presence of a cable car helps with uphill access. Some pathways are steep or have steps; those with mobility issues should check cable car availability and take easier routes. Temples and terraces are generally manageable.

Is cash needed or are cards/mobile payments accepted?

Mobile payments (WeChat Pay, Alipay, cards) are broadly accepted at major ticket offices and shops. It’s wise to carry some cash for smaller vendors.

What restaurants or cafes are available inside or nearby?

In Fengjie town and near the Baidi dock area, there are riverside restaurants and local Chinese eateries serving Sichuan/Chongqing cuisine and local specialties. On cruise shore excursions, meals are typically served on the ship.

Are there vegetarian/vegan/halal food options?

Vegetarian options (tofu, vegetables, noodles) are commonly available. Halal dining is less documented in the immediate scenic area — better in larger towns or cities.

What hotels or accommodations are close to the site?

Fengjie County has hotels, guesthouses, and lodgings catering to Three Gorges tourists. Many visitors stay in Fengjie or nearby towns, and visit Baidi as a day trip from the river cruise.

What other attractions or landmarks are nearby and easy to combine in a day trip?

• Qutang Gorge — Baidi is located at its mouth.
• Other Three Gorges segments (Wu Gorge, Xiling Gorge) as part of cruise itineraries.
• Local riverside towns and inscriptions, ancient cliff inscriptions in Qutang Gorge.

Are there souvenir shops and what are the typical souvenirs?

Souvenir shops near the temple and ticket areas sell calligraphy, prints, local teas, carved stone or wood miniatures of peaks, poetry books, postcards, local preserved goods.

What are the best transportation options to continue the trip after visiting?

• Return to the cruise ship and continue downstream through the gorges.
• Back to Fengjie town or onward by road to other scenic or cultural destinations in Chongqing / Hubei.
• Connect onward to Wushan or the entrances of Wu Gorge if your route includes more Three Gorges.