Du Fu's Thatched Cottage Museum (Du Fu Caotang)

Du Fu's Thatched Cottage Museum (Du Fu Caotang) Review

Du Fu's Thatched Cottage Museum is named for the famous poet Du Fu (712-770) of the Tang Dynasty, whose poetry continues to be read today. A Manchurian, he came to Chengdu from Xi'an and built a small hut overlooking the bamboo and plum tree-lined Huanhua River. During the four years he spent here he wrote more than 240 poems. After his death the area became a garden; a temple was then added during the Northern Song Dynasty (960-1126). A replica of his cottage now stands among several other structures, all built during the Qing Dynasty. Some of Du Fu's calligraphy and poems are on display here. English-speaking guides are available, as are English translations of his poems.