A Legacy of History and Poetry

In the winter of 759 AD, Du Fu fled the An Lushan Rebellion with his family, traveling from Longyou to Shu (present-day Sichuan). There, he built a thatched cottage known as the "Chengdu Thatched Cottage." Over generations of restoration and expansion, the cottage has evolved into a renowned cultural landmark, blending the solemnity of a memorial hall with the charm of a poet's former residence. Its architecture is simple yet elegant, and its gardens are tranquil and beautiful. After escaping the turmoil, Du Fu settled by the picturesque Huanhua Stream on the western outskirts of Chengdu the following spring. During his time there, he composed around 240 poems. Nature, family, and friendship flowed from his brush with profound emotion. Though the relative stability of his life led to fewer poems directly depicting the hardships of the people, his heart never forgot the grim realities of the times or the suffering of the masses. When the autumn wind tore through his humble home, his sorrow turned to thoughts of the displaced and destitute. He prayed to heaven, willing to sacrifice his cottage—even his life—if it could bring warmth and peace to others. This selflessness embodies the spirit of Du Fu's poetry and the essence of the Thatched Cottage. Inspired by this spirit, later generations have preserved and rebuilt the cottage with gratitude and reverence, gradually expanding its scale. Today, Du Fu Thatched Cottage stands as a monument to his enduring legacy and a sacred site in the history of Chinese literature.