Qishan Wuhou Shrine

　　   Qishan Wuhou Shrine is a Taoist temple situated on Wuzhang Plateau, approximately twenty kilometers south of Qishan County in Shaanxi Province. The plateau stands over 120 meters high, stretches 1,000 meters from east to west, and extends 3,500 meters from north to south, covering an area of around 12 square kilometers. Bordered by the Qinling Mountains to the south and rivers on the east, west, and north sides, it occupies a strategically vital location that was once used for ancient military deployments. During the Three Kingdoms period, Zhuge Liang stationed his troops here during his six northern campaigns against the Kingdom of Wei, and later led his forces in battle against Wei. He eventually fell ill from overwork and passed away in this very place. In his memory, a shrine was erected to enshrine his statue. The existing shrine complex was initially built in the early Yuan Dynasty and underwent subsequent renovations during the Ming and Qing Dynasties. Key structures include the mountain gate, main hall, side halls, bell tower, drum tower, and east and west wing rooms. The main hall houses a seated statue of Zhuge Liang, and its walls are inlaid with forty bluestone slabs engraved with Zhuge Liang’s “Memorial on the Expedition,” calligraphed by Yue Fei, the patriotic hero of the Song Dynasty.

　　Zhuge Liang (181~234)　　   Zhuge Liang (July 23, 181 – August 28, 234), courtesy name Kongming, also known by his pseudonym Wolong (or Fulong), was a Han Chinese from Yangdu in Langya (present-day Yinan County, Linyi City, Shandong Province). He served as the Chancellor of the Shu Han state and was an eminent politician, strategist, inventor, and military leader during the Three Kingdoms period. During his lifetime, he was granted the title Marquis of Wuxiang and posthumously honored as Marquis Zhongwu (Loyal and Martial Marquis). The later Eastern Jin regime, in recognition of his military genius, further posthumously titled him King Wuxing. His notable works include “The First Memorial on the Expedition,” “The Second Memorial on the Expedition,” and “Admonitions to My Son.” He is credited with inventions such as the wooden ox and flowing horse, as well as the Kongming lantern. Chengdu is home to the Wuhou Shrine dedicated to him. Additionally, the great poet Du Fu left behind the famous poem “The Premier of Shu.”    Zhu...... Details+