Let’s Go See the World’s Largest Statue of Guan Yu!! 5 Recommended Tourist Spots in Jingzhou

Jingzhou is located in the southern part of Hubei Province, about 230 km west of Wuhan. It has long served as a key transportation hub thanks to river traffic along the Yangtze River, and is a well-known tourist destination due to the fierce battles fought among warlords during the Three Kingdoms period. The entire Jingzhou area is designated by the Chinese government as a “National Famous Historical and Cultural City,” and is protected as such. This makes it an attractive destination with many sites for tourists to explore.
Recently, Jingzhou has been gaining attention for unveiling the world’s largest statue of Guan Yu. This unbelievably massive statue is definitely worth seeing in person. In this article, we will introduce six recommended sightseeing spots in Jingzhou.

1. Jingzhou Ancient City

Jingzhou Ancient City, a symbol of Jingzhou, is an ancient walled city surrounded by walls that are 9 meters high, 10 meters wide, and stretch for a total of 10 kilometers. The city was originally constructed during the Spring and Autumn Warring States period and is famously known as the place where Guan Yu defended the city during the Three Kingdoms era. The existing walls were built between the late Ming and early Qing dynasties, and are exceptionally well-preserved, making them highly valuable historically.
There are six gates along the city wall, including the North and East Gates. Impressively, the gates can be sealed in preparation for flooding from the Yangtze River—an impressive feat of ancient architecture. Inside the walls, people still live in houses and even tourist hotels operate, making it a unique place to stay while planning your sightseeing.

2. Jingzhou Museum

Established in 1958, the Jingzhou Museum is a large and comprehensive museum. One of its key attractions is the bamboo slips from Tomb 247 at Zhangjia Mountain, excavated in the 1980s. These bamboo slips were used for writing before the invention of paper and are believed to date back to around 200 BCE, during the early Western Han dynasty—making them incredibly rare and valuable.
Another highlight is the wet mummy found in Tomb 168 at Phoenix Hill, which gained widespread attention. The 162 cm male mummy was found in perfect condition, with even the teeth intact. Unlike dry Egyptian mummies, this one was preserved in a lifelike state. Internal organs removed from the body are also on display, providing a fascinating and in-depth look.

3. Jingzhou Guan Yu Temple

Jingzhou's Guan Yu Temple stands on the site where Guan Yu once stayed during his military post. The current structure was first built in 1396 during the Ming dynasty and was reconstructed in 1987. Inside is an imposing statue of Guan Yu, venerated by both locals and tourists in a solemn manner. If you're lucky, you might even be offered tea by locals.
There is a famous anecdote from the Romance of the Three Kingdoms where Guan Yu, wounded by a poisoned arrow from Pang De, returned to Jingzhou. His wound worsened until the famed physician Hua Tuo performed bone surgery—during which Guan Yu calmly played a game of Go while sipping wine. The location where this surgery took place, the Marshal Guan Yu’s Residence, is also within the temple grounds. Be sure to look for it when visiting.

4. Former Residence of Zhang Juzheng

Zhang Juzheng was known for his brilliance from a young age, passing the provincial civil service exam at just 13. As a powerful chancellor, he reformed the tax system and eliminated unnecessary government positions, helping to stabilize the Ming dynasty’s finances. However, his authoritarian style earned him enemies, and after his death, his family suffered severe persecution.
The residence where Zhang Juzheng once lived has been reconstructed as a tourist attraction. It features a beautifully maintained garden and attracts many visitors. While Jingzhou is most popular among fans of the Three Kingdoms due to its ties to Guan Yu, this site also provides an opportunity to reflect on the turbulent Ming dynasty era.

5. Guan Gong Yi Yuan (Guan Yu Righteousness Park)

Guan Gong Yi Yuan is a new tourist attraction that opened on June 17, 2016. Built at a total cost of 1.5 billion yuan, this theme park is centered around the theme of Guan Yu’s loyalty and righteousness. Through various exhibits, visitors can learn about the life of Guan Yu and his unwavering principles.
The park's biggest draw is undoubtedly the world’s largest statue of Guan Yu! Standing 58 meters tall and weighing over 1,300 tons, the statue wields a 70-meter-long Green Dragon Crescent Blade in its right hand. Designed by Chinese artist Han Meilin, the statue beautifully captures Guan Yu’s courage, flowing beard, and the elegant folds of his robes in perfect balance.
While the giant statue grabs the most attention, the themed exhibitions at its base—focused on the concept of righteousness—are not to be missed. The area includes theaters and interactive centers, offering a comprehensive and impressive visitor experience.

◎Summary

For lovers of Chinese history—especially fans of the Romance of the Three Kingdoms—Jingzhou is truly a dream destination. While it may not have been as familiar to modern travelers as Wuhan, the unveiling of the giant Guan Yu statue has brought new attention to Jingzhou. There's no doubt it will become one of Hubei’s major attractions. So why not visit Jingzhou and see the mighty Guan Yu watching over the city?

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Let’s Go See the World’s Largest Statue of Guan Yu!! 5 Recommended Tourist Spots in Jingzhou