Welcome to Xiaoting Ancient Battlefield
The historical famous scenic spot, as well as the important ruin of the Three Kingdoms Period, located in the southeast of Yichang, Hubei Province and the north bank of the Yangtze River, is the first pass and the east gate of the Three Gorges. From the city of Yichang, about 15 kilometers to the east along the Yangtze River is the Xiaoting Ancient Battlefield of the Three Kingdoms Period.
The origin of the name of the place -Xiaoting, is related to a story of the Three Kingdoms Period. In 208 AD, General Zhang Fei was sent here to be the governor of Yidu County. One day, when he visited the Huya Shoal here, he saw the torrential current, the cliffs and bluffs, and the submerged reefs make here a perfect place for strategic place. Then, he ordered the craftsmen to build a pavilion here.
Before the completion of the construction, he came here again for inspection. When he saw some figures of strange animals which looked like both of the tigers and dogs were engraved on the principal railings, he was very angry and asked the craftsmen what they were. The craftsmen were terribly frightened. They showed resourcefulness in an emergency and answered it was “Xiao”, the tiger posing like being hunting for food.
The figure was engraved for showing General’s invincible might. Satisfied with the answer, Zhang Fei laughed and ordered the people to engrave two characters of “Xiao Ting” on the pavilion. From then on, here was named “Xiao Ting” and it became famous.
Located in a very important location, it was a place where the military must fight for, as well as the place where tens of battles took place.
The most famous battles which took place here included Xiaoting Battle that dominated the fate of Shu Kingdom in the Three Kingdoms Period, Jiangguan Battle of the Sui Dynasty and Suoqiao Battle of West-Jin Period.
The battlefield is located in the back of mountain and faces the Yangtze River, and the terrain is very perilous. There are hundreds of landscapes which are the mimicked ancient battles of the ancient time.
The Huya Shoal along the Yangtze River is the first shoal to enter the Three Gorges of the Yangtze River, where shoals and rapids are dangerous and high. There is a 1,500 meters long ancient path on the cliff near the Huya Shoal. It looks like a great dragon lying on the cliff and forms the most unique scenery. Walking on this ancient path and looking into the distance of the south of the Yangtze River, some famous scenery including the Fairy Bridge and the General’s Cap will come clearly into view.
Xiaoting Ancient Battlefield is the starting point of Three Gorges and also the famous history relic.
Admission fee: RMB 30/person
Opening hours: Unsure