White Emperor City

White Emperor City overlooks the western end of Qutang Gorge. It has long been a refuge for would-be kings and poets, who have traveled here to be inspired by the majestic views of Qutang Gorge. The great poet Du Fu is believed to have written numerous poems at the Western Pavilion on the mountain slope overlooking the Yangtze. Legend has it that in 25AD, white vapor in the shape of a dragon rose from a well here, and Gong Sunshu, a solider who had his headquarters here declared himself the White Emperor. Remains of the city wall can be seen on the hill behind Baidi Mountain, and a temple built to commemorate Gong's reign dates back over 1,950 years.