Hometown of Zhang Fei – Changgou Town

Hometown of Zhang Fei – Changgou Town

The hometown of Zhang Fei, Changgou Town, is a cultural tourism attraction.

Zhang Fei, whose name has been celebrated through the ages.

Chen Shou, a historian of the Western Jin Dynasty, compiled the official and unofficial writings from the Three Kingdoms period into the historical text “Records of the Three Kingdoms,” in which he described Guan Yu and Zhang Fei as “foes of ten thousand men, tiger-like generals of their time.” One of China’s Four Great Classical Novels, “Romance of the Three Kingdoms,” provides an even more vivid depiction of Zhang Fei, stating his bravery was such that “he could take the head of a commanding general amid an army of ten thousand as easily as reaching into a bag,” and it also praises his loyalty and righteousness. The factual accounts in historical records combined with the dramatized portrayals in literature have made Zhang Fei, a renowned general of the Shu Han during the Three Kingdoms period, a household name in China to this day. Along with the spread of Chinese culture, Zhang Fei’s fame has also reached beyond China’s borders. The “Oath of the Peach Garden” between Liu Bei, Guan Yu, and Zhang Fei has almost become a timeless symbol in Confucian ideals of loyalty, righteousness, and deep brotherly bonds.

It is a common cultural phenomenon across time and place—communities often take pride in having produced famous historical figures. But how do we trace the roots of such a well-known historic personality as Zhang Fei? How do we uncover the traces of his hometown amid the vast river of history and the starry sea of ancient texts? Far from opportunistic “celebrity naming rights,” and based on solid historical evidence, Zhang Fei’s birthplace is today’s Changgou Town. On March 1, 2004, the Beijing Daily published an article in its “Debate · A Personal View” column by Mr. Jiang Liu titled “Where Was Zhang Fei Really From?” It clearly stated: “If Zhang Fei’s hometown were Zhuo County, he would have been granted the title Marquis of Zhuo—but he wasn’t. Zhang Fei’s hometown is actually Changgou Town in Fangshan District, Beijing, today.”

Zhang Fei (c. ?–221), courtesy name Yide, also called Yide, was a native of Taocun in Zhuojun County, Zhuo Commandery, Eastern Han Dynasty (present-day Zhongyidian in Zhuozhou City). In his early years, he formed a deep bond with Liu Bei and Guan Yu, and the three swore an oath of eternal brotherhood in Zhuo, later known as the “Oath of the Peach Garden.” In the late Eastern Han Dynasty, Zhang Fei, Guan Yu, and Liu Bei gathered local militias and rose up in rebellion in Zhuo County, joining the effort to suppress the Yellow Turban Rebellion. In the 12th year of the Jian’an era (207), Liu Bei sought refuge under Liu Biao in Jing Province. When Cao Cao sent troops to take Jing Province, Liu Bei was defeated and fled to Xiakou. At Changban Slope in Dangyang, Cao’s forces scattered Liu Bei’s group. Zhang Fei held off the enemy with just 20 men. Seeing the approaching Cao troops, he stood at the bridge, sword drawn, blocking their advance... More details about Zhang Fei ++