Historical Background
Nestled on Pipa Peak of the eastern hill at the Longmen Grottoes UNESCO World Heritage Site, Bai Garden (Bai Yuan) is the final resting place of Bai Juyi (772–846 AD), one of China’s most celebrated poets of the Tang Dynasty. Revered for his accessible yet profound poetry that often reflected social realities and everyday life, Bai Juyi spent his later years in Luoyang, where he cultivated friendships with fellow literary giants like Yuan Zhen and Liu Yuxi. Upon his death, he was buried on this picturesque hillside overlooking the Yi River—a location he himself reportedly chose for its tranquility and natural beauty. The garden was established during the Tang era and has undergone several restorations, most notably in the 1980s, to honor his legacy while preserving its historical authenticity.
Layout and Key Attractions
Spanning a gently sloping hillside, Bai Garden unfolds as a poetic journey through landscape and literature. Visitors enter through a modest gate and ascend stone pathways flanked by lush greenery. The first major stop is Tingyi Pavilion (Listening to Yi Pavilion), perched midway up the slope. This charming pavilion commemorates the spot where Bai Juyi and his friends gathered in their twilight years to compose verse, sip wine, and play chess—capturing the refined leisure of Tang literati culture. From here, the path leads to Letian Hall (named after Bai Juyi’s literary pseudonym, “Letian,” meaning “Joyful Heaven”), which houses a dignified bronze statue of the poet. Standing before it, visitors can reflect on his famous lines: “Clear streams flow before my door; tall trees shade my walls. A bamboo path winds around the lotus pond—over a hundred paces long.”
Continuing upward along the right-hand trail brings you to the summit of Pipa Peak, where Bai Juyi’s tomb lies in solemn repose. Surrounded by ancient cypress trees that whisper in the wind, the grave site exudes quiet reverence. Three imposing stone stelae stand before the mound, the central one inscribed with the six characters “Tomb of Tang Dynasty Minister Bai” (唐少傅白公墓). The atmosphere here is contemplative, offering panoramic views of the Yi River and the western cliffs of the Longmen Grottoes.
Cultural Highlights
One of Bai Garden’s most distinctive features is its Poetry Corridor, a shaded walkway lined with 38 stone tablets engraved with Bai Juyi’s most beloved verses. These calligraphic masterpieces are rendered in a variety of traditional Chinese scripts—including seal, clerical, regular, running, and cursive—by renowned artists from China and abroad. The corridor not only celebrates Bai’s literary genius but also serves as an open-air gallery of East Asian calligraphy.
Adjacent to it stands the Japan Calligraphy Gallery, a testament to Bai Juyi’s enduring influence across East Asia. During the Heian period (794–1185), his poetry was immensely popular in Japan, even shaping the aesthetics of classical Japanese literature like "The Tale of Genji." This dedicated space displays contemporary works by Japanese calligraphers, symbolizing centuries of cultural exchange between China and Japan.
Visitor Experience
Unlike the bustling main grottoes area, Bai Garden offers a peaceful, reflective alternative within the Longmen complex. Most international visitors combine a morning visit to the Buddhist caves with an afternoon stroll through Bai Garden, appreciating the contrast between spiritual grandeur and poetic intimacy. The climb is moderate—suitable for most fitness levels—and benches are thoughtfully placed along the route for rest and contemplation. Audio guides (available at the Longmen entrance) include detailed commentary on Bai Juyi’s life and works, enhancing the educational value of the visit.
Why Visit?
For literature lovers, history enthusiasts, or anyone seeking a moment of calm amid China’s cultural landmarks, Bai Garden is a hidden gem. It embodies the Confucian ideal of harmony between humanity and nature, while honoring a poet whose words continue to resonate across languages and centuries. As one Mafengwo reviewer poetically noted: “Walking through Bai Garden feels like stepping into one of his poems—every stone, tree, and breeze carries his voice.”