Du Fu Cao Tang

    Du Fu Cao Tang(Thatched Cottage of Du Fu)is a 24 acre park and museum in honour of Tang dynasty poet Du Fu at the western outskirt of Chengdu, adjacent to the Huanhua Xi, (Flower Rinsing Creek). In 1961, the Chinese govermment established Du Fu Cao Tang as a a National Heritage site.

History

    In 759 Du Fu moved to Chengdu, built a thatched hut near the Flower Rinsing Creek and lived there four years. The "thatched hut" period was the peak of Du Fu's creativity, he wrote two hundred and forty poems, among them: "My Thatche Hut was torn apart by Autumn Wind" and "The Prime Minister of Shu".

    Du Fu Cao Tang is now a mecca for Du Fu enthusiasts around the world to come over and pay tribute to the great poet.

Museum

    The original thatched hut built by Du Fu was destroyed. The key buildings in the Du Fu Cao Tang Park was constructed in the early 16th century during the Ming dynasty and extensively renovated in 1811 during the Qing dynasty.

    Du Fu Cao Tang consists of several main areas

• Du Gong Bu memorial Hall(Du Gongbu ci), where the life and work of Du Fu was displayed, the library area displayed published works of Du Fu, including some rare Song dynasty wood carving editions. The foreign language section displays a large number of foreign language books of Du Fu's works.

• The Thatched Cottage of Du Fu. A reconstructed thatched hut partitioned into a study, a bedroom and kitchen, recreated the living and working environment of Du Fu's time.

• The Hall of great poets(Da Ya Tang). A new exhibition hall where a 16 long by 4 meter tall mural painting potraying scenes from Du Fu's poems: "My Thatched Hut Wrecked by the Autumn Wind" and "A Song of War Chariots". There are also statues of twelve prominent Chinese poets( including Qu Yuan,Tao Qian,Li Bai,Wang Wei,Su Shi, Li Qingzhao,Lu You) on display.