Ganlu Temple in Zhenjiang

Ganlu Temple in Zhenjiang

Ganlu Temple in Zhenjiang is a cultural tourism attraction.

Perched on the rear peak of Beigu Mountain, the temple's architecture coils like a green dragon, hence the saying that “the temple crowns the mountain.” Ganlu Temple was first built during the Eastern Wu period and expanded over successive dynasties to reach its current scale.

The “Buddhist temple” referred to in Chapter 54 of Romance of the Three Kingdoms, where “Lady Wu visits the temple to see her son-in-law, and Lord Liu continues his happy union in the bridal chamber,” is this very site.

The story goes that in the 14th year of the Jian’an era during the Eastern Han Dynasty (209), after the Battle of Red Cliffs, Liu Bei was reluctant to return Jingzhou to Eastern Wu. Zhou Yu and Sun Quan then devised the “Beauty Trap,” using Sun Quan’s sister Sun Shangxiang as bait to lure Liu Bei to Jingkou for a marriage alliance, hoping to detain him and force the return of Jingzhou. However, Zhuge Liang’s ingenious foresight enabled Liu Bei not only to marry the beautiful Sun Shangxiang but also to return safely to Jingzhou.

This is the origin of the saying “losing the wife and the soldiers.” Visitors throughout history, recalling this amusing tale, find it truly captivating.

Address: Inside Beigu Mountain Scenic Area, Jingkou District, Zhenjiang City

Type: Temple

Recommended visiting time: About 1 hour

Phone: 0511-88812169

Opening hours:

7:30-17:30

Ticket information:

No separate admission fee. Included in the Beigu Mountain ticket.