Du Fu's Thatched Cottage杜甫草堂
Du Fu's Thatched Cottage preserves the site of the great Tang poet's Chengdu home on Caotang Road in the city's west end. Du Fu settled here in 759 and stayed nearly four years, writing more than 240 poems — among them the celebrated Song of My Cottage Unroofed by Autumn Gales.
Chengdu · Visitor Guide2026-10-18
Quick Answer
Is Du Fu's Thatched Cottage worth visiting?
The Chengdu home of the Poet-Sage Du Fu, now a serene memorial garden steeped in Tang poetry. Admission CNY 50.
Quick facts
| Ticket | Adults CNY 50, students CNY 25 |
|---|---|
| Hours | 08:00-19:00 (until 20:00 in summer) |
| Recommended duration | 2-3 hours |
| Best time to visit | Spring (Mar-May, flowers) and autumn (Sep-Nov, crisp and clear) |
| How to get there | Metro Line 4 to Caotangbeilu Station Exit B, then about a 15-minute walk; buses 19, 35, 58, 82 and 151 to Du Fu Thatched Cottage |
| English signage | Yes |
| Wheelchair accessible | Partial |
| Du Fu's residency | Tang Qianyuan 2 (759) to Shangyuan 2 (761) |
| Poems written | 240+ poems during his Chengdu years |
| Famous poems | Song of My Cottage Unroofed by Autumn Gales; Spring View |
| Area | About 190,000 sq m |
| Built | Modern reconstruction (1952) |
| Protection | National key cultural relic site |
What to expect
Du Fu's Thatched Cottage, in Chengdu's western suburbs, preserves the site where the great Tang poet lived. In 759 (Qianyuan 2), displaced by the An Lushan Rebellion, Du Fu settled beside Huanhua Stream and stayed nearly four years, writing such masterpieces as Song of My Cottage Unroofed by Autumn Gales, Spring View and The Shu Prime Minister.
The present grounds are a memorial garden rebuilt in 1952 around the site, covering about 190,000 sq m in a mixed classical layout. Memorial halls, the Gongbu Shrine, the wicker gate and the Du Fu Poetry Gallery stand among plum orchards, bamboo groves and red walls in hushed, elegant seclusion.
A visit here rewards both poetry and quiet. Take a docent or audio guide for Du Fu's life and achievement; the garden is lovely for photos and unhurried wandering. Combine it with the Jinsha Site Museum, about 2 km away.
How to get there
Metro Line 4 to Caotangbeilu Station Exit B, then about a 15-minute walk north along Caotang Road. Buses 19, 35, 58, 82 and 151 stop at Du Fu Thatched Cottage.
Best photo spots
- The thatched cottage itself, the park's signature building
- The wicker gate and red wall (great for portraits)
- Bamboo-lined paths
- The Du Fu Poetry Gallery
Tips
- Take a docent or rent an audio guide
- The garden is big — plan a route with the map
- Teahouses inside offer a restful break
- Gift shops sell cultural souvenirs
Scams to avoid
- No major scam risks
Frequently asked questions
Is this Du Fu's original cottage?
The original is long gone; the present garden is a 1952 reconstruction, but it stands within the area where Du Fu actually lived.
Do I need to book ahead?
Advance booking is wise in peak season.
How long does a visit take?
About 2-3 hours.
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