The Wuzhang Plains (五丈原) are
plateau
In geology and physical geography, a plateau (; ; ), also called a high plain or a tableland, is an area of a highland consisting of flat terrain that is raised sharply above the surrounding area on at least one side. Often one or more sides ha ...
s near the
Wei River
The Wei River () is a major river in west-central China's Gansu and Shaanxi provinces. It is the largest tributary of the Yellow River and very important in the early development of Chinese civilization.
The source of the Wei River is close to ...
in
China
China, officially the People's Republic of China (PRC), is a country in East Asia. It is the world's most populous country, with a population exceeding 1.4 billion, slightly ahead of India. China spans the equivalent of five time zones and ...
. They are now in the Shaanxi province, 56 kilometres from Baoji. The name "Wuzhang" means "five ''Zhàng, zhang''", where ''zhang'' (丈) is a Chinese units of measurement, Chinese unit of measurement which converts to 3⅓ metre. In actuality, the plains are situated 12 m from sea level, 1 km wide from east to west, and 3.5 km long from north to south. The Qin Mountains are to the plains' south, while the
Wei River
The Wei River () is a major river in west-central China's Gansu and Shaanxi provinces. It is the largest tributary of the Yellow River and very important in the early development of Chinese civilization.
The source of the Wei River is close to ...
is at their north, Maili River to their east, and Shitou River to their west.
The hazardous plateaus were the site of the Battle of Wuzhang Plains during the Three Kingdoms period of China, in which the famous Shu Han, Shu statesman Zhuge Liang died of sickness.
At the present, the Wuzhang Plains are a designated scenic region where relics of the Three Kingdoms period scattered across the plains. Many temples were erected there in Zhuge Liang's name, and the sceneries have names that allude to his Zhuge Liang's Northern Expeditions, Northern Expeditions. Because it is known as the site where Zhuge Liang died, many poets of old have journeyed here and left their mark.
Plateaus of China
Landforms of Shaanxi
{{Shaanxi-geo-stub