The name Fengjie first came into being in the Tang Dynasty. Originally named “Yufu”County, this place was called“Kuifu”when it was made capital of the State of Kui during the Spring and Autumn and Warring States Period (770 B.C.—221 B.C.). Situated on the northern bank of the Changjiang River, it overlooks the Qutang Gorge which is the starting point of the beautiful scenes of the Three Gorges.

Fengjie's history dates back two thousand years. The tall city wall and its well-protected city gate still remain. To the east is Baidicheng—a scenic spot of historical interest, and in the countryside stands a thatched house where the great poet Du Fu of the Tang Dynasty once lived.

Several hundred steps lead up the wooded BaiDi Mountain . Because of its strategic position the town was chosen in the first century by Gong sun shu, an official turned soldier, as the site of his headquarters. The legend goes that in AD25 white vapour in the shape of a dragon was seen rising from a nearby well. Taking this as an auspicious omen, Gong declared himself the “white Emperor” and the town “white Emperor city”. Remains of the city wall can still be seen on the hill behind Baidi Mountain .

The Western Pavilion on the slope is believed to have been occupied by the great poet Du Fu, who wrote numerous poems at this site in Dang Dynasty.

A red wall with an imposing yellow dragon-head gateway sruuouds the temple complex. Though the temple was originally dedicated to Gong sunshu, the White emperor, his statue was removed in the Ming dynasty(1368-1644) and replaced with images of Liu Bei, Zhuge Liang, Guan Yu and Zhang Fei, heroes of the Shu Kingdom during the Three Kingdoms period. The present halls date from the Ming dynasty. The front hall contains large modern statues which depict Liu Bei on his deathbed entrusting his sons to the care of Zhuge Liang.

Mingliang Hall is dedicate to Liu Bei, who is shown surrounded by four attendants, as well as the black-faced Zhang Fei, and the red-faced Guan Yu on one side, and Zhuge Liang on the other.

Fine view of the entrance to Qutang Gorge can be seen from the temple. When the Three Gorges Dam is completely finished, the Baidi Mountain will become an island.