Changde Poetry Wall

Changde Poetry Wall

The Changde Poetry Wall serves as a patriotic education base.

Changde was formerly known as Wuling and has a history of over 2,000 years as a city, long celebrated as a place rich in cultural relics. In recent years, with a national investment of 108 million yuan, a poetry wall was constructed along a 2.92-kilometer-long flood prevention wall to promote traditional Chinese culture and strengthen patriotic education. It was named the "China Changde Poetry Wall." The wall features a compilation of contemporary Chinese masterpieces in poetry, calligraphy, and fine arts engraved on a single structure, earning it the title of the world's longest art wall integrating poetry, calligraphy, painting, and carving, and recognized by the Guinness World Records. Located on the outer side of the Yuan River flood prevention wall in Changde City, it is the main attraction of the Yuan River scenic belt known as the "Three Mountains and Three Waters," covering an area of approximately 14,000 square meters.

The China Changde Poetry Wall uses the Yuan River flood control embankment as its base, stretching six Chinese miles (approximately 3 kilometers) in length. It is divided into six major sections: "Centuries of Vicissitudes," "Inscriptions by Eminent Figures," "Scenic Wuling," "Elegance of Orchid and Angelica," "New Voices of China," and "Gems from Five Continents." These sections feature 1,267 poems related to Changde from ancient times to the present, as well as renowned poems from around the world. The verses are rendered in various calligraphic styles—regular, running, clerical, seal, and cursive—by 948 calligraphers from across China, including those from Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan, all engraved on the wall. Additionally, 43 exquisite stone murals from both China and abroad are inlaid throughout. The titles of each section and subsection were inscribed by renowned contemporary Chinese calligraphers such as Zhao Puchu, Shen Peng, Qi Gong, Yan Jialong, Sun Qifeng, Wang Xuezhong, Xiao Xian, Zhang Ding, Zang Kejia, Chen Tianran, among others. The late figures Cao Yu, Shu Tong, and Wu Zuoren also contributed inscriptions such as "Charming Wuling" and "The Finest Scenery Here."

The Poetry Wall attracts visitors from all over with its profound cultural content, uplifting themes, and exquisite artistic form. The contemporary poetry, calligraphy, and painting communities praise it as the "trinity of poetry, calligraphy, and painting," an "artistic scroll unfolding through the ages," a "pioneering creation of our land," and an "extraordinary wonder of China." The renowned Taiwanese scholar Yu Guangzhong referred to it as the "Great Wall of Poetry" and "half a literary history."

The China Changde Poetry Wall has been officially named by the Guinness headquarters as the "World’s Longest Poetry, Calligraphy, Painting, and Carving Art Wall." It has also been commended by former Premier [name redacted] as a "remarkable creation." After viewing it, Wang Daohan, former President of the Association for Relations Across the Taiwan Straits, praised the Changde Poetry Wall not only as a major scenic attraction of Changde but also as a unique marvel of the city. The Chinese Poetry Society awarded it the title of "National Advanced Unit in Poetry Education."

Strolling alongside the Poetry Wall, one is greeted by the rich cultural essence of Jingchu and Xianghu traditions.

The Poetry Wall features four grand pavilions—Wuling Pavilion, Chunshen Pavilion, Paiyun Pavilion, and Fisherman’s Pavilion—standing tall. These structures serve as floodgates while adding deep cultural significance to the ancient city, giving the wall and surrounding park an antique charm. On regular days, it sees a continuous stream of tourists; at dusk and dawn, the area becomes even more bustling, earning the reputation among locals as the premier leisure destination.

On September 5, 2000, the Shanghai Guinness headquarters officially named it the "World’s Longest Poetry, Calligraphy, Painting, and Carving Art Wall," enshrining it in the annals of global cultural projects. The wall showcases a compilation of contemporary Chinese masterpieces in poetry, calligraphy, and fine arts engraved on a single structure, earning it the title of the world's longest art wall integrating poetry, calligraphy, painting, and carving, and recognized by the Guinness World Records. With its profound cultural content, uplifting themes, and exquisite artistic form, it draws visitors from all over. The contemporary poetry, calligraphy, and painting communities praise it as the "trinity of poetry, calligraphy, and painting," an "artistic scroll unfolding through the ages," a "pioneering creation of our land," and an "extraordinary wonder of China." The renowned Taiwanese poet Yu Guangzhong called it the "Great Wall of Poetry" and "half a literary history." National copyright authorities have recognized its significant potential for development and utilization. In March and April 2000, the Chinese Poetry Society and the Chinese Poets (Modern Poetry) organization respectively sent investigation teams to Changde for on-site evaluations, both praising the wall as "arguably the world’s foremost wall!" They described it as a highly creative and monumental project in China’s contemporary cultural development, pioneering the construction of contemporary cultural sites, especially stele forest culture.

Address: Along the Yuan’an Road Riverside Area, Wuling District, Changde City

Opening Hours:

Open all day

Address: Along the Yuan’an Road Riverside Area, Wuling District, Changde City

Opening Hours:

Open all day