The Red Cliff

Chibi (赤壁, literally the Red Cliff) is located in the southeast of Hubei Province and on the south bank of Yangtze River, 36 kilometers to northwest of Chibi city. Chibi is the famous ancient battlefield, where the historic Chibi Battle happened. Between summer and winter of 208 AD, the cooperation of Liu Bei (刘备) on behalf of Shu Kingdom and Sun Quan (孙权) of Wu Kingdom, defeated the northern power, Cao Cao (曹操) of Wei State, with less army than Cao Cao used. The handsome, young and versatile General Zhou Yu (周瑜), born in Lujiang County, Anhui Province, was a historic character in China’s history. He was good at music, tactics, kongfu and writing when he had been the youngest first-rank general in Wu Kingdom with high reputation and respect from government and public, and his wife, Xiao Qiao, was also the most beautiful woman at that time of Wu Kingdom, conducted this great and significant battle and stabilized the basic structure of Three-Kingdom condition.

Chibi is comprised of three hills – Chibi, Nanping (南屏山) and Jinluan Hills (金鸾山). The greenery on the hills and the towers, pavilions and kiosk surrounded by trees give Chibi magnificent beauty. Nowadays, there is a Zhou Yu’s large marble sculpture, and two Chinese characters “Chibi” in red color on the steep cliff were still predominate and they are the best attractions in this site. It is said that Zhou Yu wrote it excitedly and happily when he saw his army burnt the warships of northern power were and the reddish light of fire emitted. It may not be dependable, but we indeed could feel the grandeur and magnificence from these two regular red characters.

Chibi scenery during a Yangtze cruise

Chibi Hill’s southwest is facing the Yangtze River, its slanted cliff is height about 300 meters, with odd and rugged stones, to which the pounding waves of the river hit with thundering sounds. Alongside the two giant Chinese characters “赤壁”, there are the rock-carving figures of Zhuge Liang (诸葛亮, the most mysterious man with endless wisdom, he was able to predict the future, and could chat directly with god), Liu Bei, Guan Yu and Zhang Fei. You may see some stone tablets of Chinese calligraphy as well. On the top of the Chibi Hill, sees the Yijiang Kiosk (Wings over the River). It is said the during the Chibi Battle, Zhuge Liang and Zhou Yu watched the Cao Cao’s forces on the opposite side of Yangtze River on the hill. However, the kiosk we see today was built in later times.

There is the Baifeng Kiosk on the Nanping Hill. It is said that legendary Zhuge Liang “borrowed” the east-wind from the heaven on Seven-star Platform in this hill. A Buddhist convent was on the mountainside of Jinluan Hill but the one we see today is a rebuilt version in 1846. The architectural style gives the atmosphere of grandeur and solemn. It was the former residence of Pang Tong (庞统), who was one of the brains that serves Liu Bei of Shu Kingdom.