Who was Du Fu and why is the Thatched Cottage important?

Du Fu (712 to 770 CE) is one of China's greatest classical poets, often compared to Shakespeare. He lived here in exile from 759 to 765 and wrote over 240 poems on this site. For Chinese visitors it is close to sacred ground, and even if you don't read his work, the grounds are a beautiful 25-hectare garden park with steles and bamboo.

Is the thatched cottage the original building?

No. The original cottage burned down several times over the centuries. The Tang-style buildings you see are 1985 reconstructions built on the original foundations, so the location is authentic even if the structures are not. The appeal is the setting, the poetry museum, and the gardens rather than ancient architecture itself.

How much time should I plan for Du Fu Thatched Cottage?

Allow two to three hours. Entry is around 50 RMB. The site combines a poetry museum, the reconstructed cottage, ponds, bamboo groves, ancient plum trees, and a stele forest of poems carved in stone. Calligraphy fans should budget extra time for the steles, while casual visitors can stroll the gardens more quickly.

Du Fu Thatched Cottage, Chengdu: Map & Visitor's Guide (2026)

Tang-era poet Du Fu's reconstructed garden residence — sacred site of Chinese classical poetry and a tranquil bamboo park.

At a glance

What it is: Heritage Site
Also known as: 杜甫草堂 (Dù Fǔ Cǎotáng)
Opening hours: 8 AM – 6 PM
Time needed: 2-3 hours
Best time to visit: Spring (March-May) for plum/peach blossoms; 9-11 AM
Getting there: Metro to the door
English: Some English signage
Cards accepted: Visa, Mastercard
Entry: Walk-in — no booking
Wi-Fi: No public Wi-Fi
Address: 38 Qinghua Rd, Qingyang District, Chengdu · 青羊区青华路 38 号

See Du Fu Thatched Cottagetickets & tours

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Du Fu (712-770 CE) lived here in exile from 759-765 and wrote 240+ poems in this very thatched cottage. The site is half-poetry-museum, half-Chinese-garden — restored cottage, ponds, bamboo groves, 1000-year-old plum trees. Foreigners who know Du Fu (China's Shakespeare) consider this sacred ground; for casual visitors it's still a beautiful 25-hectare garden park with calligraphy steles and bonsai displays. Entry 50 RMB. Allow 2-3 hours. The Tang-style buildings are 1985 reconstructions on the original foundations (the cottage burned multiple times). Calligraphy fans: bring time for the Stele Forest (碑林) of poems carved in stone by famous calligraphers.

Highlights

Original Cottage SiteReconstructed but on Tang foundations
Stele Forest (碑林)Du Fu's poems carved by famous calligraphers
Plum GardenMarch bloom; iconic Chinese-garden vista

What Chinese travelers actually do here

Distilled from Chinese-language travel notes — the practical tips most English guides miss.

▸Visit in early spring, roughly March to May, when the plum and peach blossoms turn the garden into the classic vista.
▸Morning around 9 to 11 AM gives soft light over the ponds and bamboo before tour groups arrive.
▸The Stele Forest of carved poems is often skipped, yet it is the most atmospheric corner for calligraphy lovers.
▸There is no public WiFi here, so download maps and any Du Fu poem translations before you enter.
▸The plum garden by the work-hall shrine is the strongest single photo composition in the whole park.
▸It is an easy pairing with nearby Qingyang Palace, about 1.5 km away, for a half-day in the same district.
▸Rainy days actually suit this garden; mist over the bamboo and ponds looks better than harsh sun.

Photos

What travelers say (5 reviews)

PoetryNerd·TripAdvisor·5/5

Du Fu is China's Shakespeare. He wrote 240 poems while exiled here. Reconstructed cottage + the actual original site foundations. Beautiful gardens.

2026-04-08

文学爱好者·Xiaohongshu·5/5

杜甫草堂春天梅花海超出片！碑林收藏历代名家书法刻杜诗。¥50门票。

2026-03-25

Tom W.·Google Maps·4/5

Even without knowing Du Fu — beautiful 25-hectare Chinese garden park with 1000-year-old plum trees. Spring blossoms are spectacular.

2026-04-18

ChineseLit·YouTube·5/5

For poetry fans — the Stele Forest has Du Fu's poems carved by famous calligraphers across 1500 years.

2026-02-20

Sun M.·Ctrip·4/5

门票¥50，春天3月梅花季最美。和青羊宫1.5公里、四川博物院5分钟车程，组合一上午。

2026-04-01

Frequently asked questions about Du Fu Thatched Cottage

Who was Du Fu and why is the Thatched Cottage important?: Du Fu (712 to 770 CE) is one of China's greatest classical poets, often compared to Shakespeare. He lived here in exile from 759 to 765 and wrote over 240 poems on this site. For Chinese visitors it is close to sacred ground, and even if you don't read his work, the grounds are a beautiful 25-hectare garden park with steles and bamboo.
Is the thatched cottage the original building?: No. The original cottage burned down several times over the centuries. The Tang-style buildings you see are 1985 reconstructions built on the original foundations, so the location is authentic even if the structures are not. The appeal is the setting, the poetry museum, and the gardens rather than ancient architecture itself.
How much time should I plan for Du Fu Thatched Cottage?: Allow two to three hours. Entry is around 50 RMB. The site combines a poetry museum, the reconstructed cottage, ponds, bamboo groves, ancient plum trees, and a stele forest of poems carved in stone. Calligraphy fans should budget extra time for the steles, while casual visitors can stroll the gardens more quickly.