China: Bronze of Xin Qiyi (Song Dynasty), Du Fu Caotang (Du Fu's Thatched Cottage), Chengdu, Sichuan Province

Xīn Qìjí (28 May 1140–1207) was a Chinese poet, military leader, and statesman during the Southern Song dynasty. Some six hundred and twenty of Xin's poems survive today, all were written after he moved to the south.

Du Fu (Dù Fǔ; Wade–Giles: Tu Fu, 712–770) was a prominent Chinese poet of the Tang Dynasty. Along with Li Bai (Li Bo), he is frequently called the greatest of the Chinese poets. In 759 Du Fu moved to Chengdu, built a thatched hut near the Flower Rinsing Creek and lived there for four years. The 'thatched hut' period was the peak of Du Fu's creativity. He wrote two hundred and forty poems, among them: 'My Thatched Hut was torn apart by Autumn Wind' and 'The Prime Minister of Shu'.

Chengdu, known formerly as Chengtu, is the capital of Sichuan province in Southwest China. In the early 4th century BC, the 9th Kaiming king of the ancient Shu moved his capital to the city's current location from today's nearby Pixian.

Copyright:

CPA Media Co. Ltd.

Photographer:

David Henley

Credit:

Pictures From Asia