Longzhong

Overview

About

The Longzhong scenic area in Xiangcheng District, Xiangyang, Hubei, covers 209 km² in five parts: Old Longzhong, Shuijing Manor, Cheng’en Temple, Qili Hill and Hezi Valley, with historic sites among low hills.

Old Longzhong, the core, is where Zhuge Liang, later chancellor of Shu in the Three Kingdoms, farmed in retirement before he entered public life. Liu Bei’s three visits to the thatched cottage and the “Longzhong Plan” took place here. Luo Guanzhong described it in Romance of the Three Kingdoms as a place of modest but graceful hills, clear water and luxuriant woods.

At the mouth of the valley stands a three-gate stone archway carved “Old Longzhong”. On the eastern ridge of Longshan is the Wuhou Shrine dedicated to Zhuge Liang.

The ten sights are the Thatched Cottage Pavilion, the Ploughed Field, the Hall of Three Visits, the Little Rainbow Bridge, the Hexagonal Well, the Wuhou Shrine, Half-Moon Stream, the Old Dragon Cave, Liangfu Rock and the Knee-Hugging Stone.

It is in the third batch of national parks of China (national scenic areas) named by the State Council in 1994.

Travel tips

Getting there: Gu Longzhong lies roughly a dozen kilometres west of central Xiangyang. From Xiangyang East station or the airport, take a bus or taxi; the trip takes about half an hour.

Route: the entrance is the stone archway marked 'Gu Longzhong'. A walking route runs past the Three Visits Hall, the Thatched Cottage Pavilion, the farming plot, the Marquis Wu Temple and the Knee-Hugging Stone.

What it is: the place where Zhuge Liang lived in seclusion before taking office and where Liu Bei is said to have called three times. Most sights are steles, halls and gardens, largely rebuilt in later periods.

Time: about two to three hours for the main site; combine with Xiangyang's old city wall and Zhaoming Terrace for half a day or a day.

Season: spring and autumn are pleasant; summer is hot but the grounds are shaded; winter is cold.

Where to stay: central Xiangyang is the easiest base, with hotels and restaurants around the old city.

Note: there are slopes and steps along the whole route and the walk is long; wear comfortable shoes.

The Longzhong Plan

In his reply to Liu Bei, Zhuge Liang judged that Cao Cao, holding the emperor, could not yet be opposed and that Sun Quan, secure east of the river, should be an ally. He advised Liu Bei to take Jingzhou and Yizhou, whose rulers could not hold them, guard their passes, make peace with the peoples to the west and south, and, when the time came, march north in two columns to restore the house of Han.

Nearby

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