His Excellency’s shrine, where would it be found?Past Damask Town, where cypresses grow dense.

His Excellency’s shrine, where would it be found?Past Damask Town, where cypresses grow dense.  Its sunlit court, gem-bright greens—a spring unto themselves. Leaf-veiled, the orioles’ sweet notes to empty air.  Thrice to him Liu Bei sued, keen to rule the realm:  Two reigns Kong Ming served—steady old heart  To die, his host afield, the victory herald yet to come  Weep, oh heroes! Drench your fronts, now and evermore. - Du Fu on Zhuge Liang’s Wuhou TempleAfter waiting for so many years, it’s finally happened. I finally went to Zhuge Liang’s temple in Chengdu, the same one I promised myself in elementary school that I’d someday see. I can’t even begin to describe it! I was oddly calm, but perhaps it was because I had been preparing myself for this day for so long now. It was a great day, even if a bit cloudy, but once you were in the temple all the colors of the flowers and trees burst through and made you forget everything else. I read on a website that the suggested time for a visit is 1 hour and I don’t think they could be any more wrong about this. We were the only foreigners there, and it was clear that the Chinese here spent so many hours here, as did we.I finally came upon Zhuge Liang’s golden statue, and here he is, with me holding my action figure that I’ve had since I was little. You can see the reflection of the outside, how green the trees were. It was really magical how beautiful it was, and how it was all dedicated to him and the other generals from the Three Kingdoms.I loved seeing kids and adults walking around with replicas of Zhuge Liang’s fan! I was really at the most sacred Three Kingdoms site, as my audio guide told me in my ear.We walked around, buying a ton of Zhuge Liang merchandise, and I was touched when some girls practiced their English with me, asking where I was from and how long I was in China for. We two were the only foreigners in the area, so we got many stares! Not that I mind, but once again it showed me how much the Chinese take part in their cultural history. It’s a great feeling, to be part of something huge from another culture.I saw Liu Bei’s mausoleum and tons of beautiful, colorful sprawling gardens of various types. The area was bigger than I had imagined! There were bonsai gardens, peach blossom gardens, etc, all filled with statues, small buildings, and tablets inscribed by ancient poets and generals. Flowers bloomed everywhere. I couldn’t believe I was walking through so much history as well as loads of praises for Zhuge Liang. I was proud to have “known” him extremely well since I was young. I learned even more about him through the guide!At one point I sat on a rock and started tearing up, nearly crying, and some tears came out of me. It was all incredibly beautiful and I couldn’t believe I was finally achieving my dream after so long. I was already dreading having to leave. I said, “I’m coming back one day, right?” I definitely will. I can’t imagine not. I cancelled the rest of the plans for Chengdu and spent the day calmly walking through the area. I cried on the plane back to Shanghai though. Zhuge Liang has been my role model since I was little, and one of my greatest inspirations. Now I can finally say I went to his most beautiful temple and I’m so happy that I was able to have the chance. I’m so grateful. On my desk is a little shrine I have set up to him  now, with the little figures and scrolls of his, as well as my own fan replica. Treasures to keep forever!  -- source link

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