About the Battle of Changban
The Battle of Changban was fought in 208 (13th year of Jian'an (Later Han)) at Changban, Dangyang, Jing Province. Cao Cao's 5,000 elite horsemen catch Liu Bei as he flees south with a hundred thousand civilians. Zhao Yun rides back alone into the enemy to rescue the infant Adou, and Zhang Fei stands astride the Changban bridge to halt a whole army. The overture to Red Cliffs.
- Year
- 20813th year of Jian'an (Later Han)
- Place
- Changban, Dangyang, Jing Province
- Era
- Late Han (Three Kingdoms)
The two armies
Cao Cao's army Commander-in-chiefCao Cao 10,0003 units 
Liu Bei's army Commander-in-chiefLiu Bei 112,0705 units Troop strengthTotal of the units shown in 3D
Fought 10,000
Fought 112,070
Cao Cao's armyBy troop strength
- Cao Cao 曹操 Commander-in-chief 5,000
- Cao Chun (Tiger and Leopard Cavalry) 曹純(虎豹騎) 3,000
- Wen Ping 文聘 2,000
Portraits are public-domain images from Wikimedia Commons (some are later imagined depictions).
How the battle unfoldedTimes follow the 3D clock
- 9th month, FanchengCh. 1
FlightWith a Hundred Thousand People
In the autumn of the 13th year of Jian'an, Cao Cao marched south into Jing Province, and Liu Cong, heir to Liu Biao, surrendered without a fight. Liu Bei withdrew from Fancheng, making for Jiangling. But more than a hundred thousand people of Jing, devoted to Liu Bei, followed him, and the column covered barely ten li a day. "To achieve great things, people are the foundation," said Liu Bei, and would not abandon them.
- Pursuit, day and nightCh. 2
PursuitThree Hundred Li in a Day and a Night
The military stores at Jiangling must not fall to Liu Bei. Cao Cao abandoned his baggage and led 5,000 elite horsemen in pursuit himself. Covering three hundred li in a day and a night, the Tiger and Leopard Cavalry caught Liu Bei's column at Changban in Dangyang.
- Changban, morningCh. 3
ChangbanLiu Bei Abandons His Family and Runs
When Cao Cao's cavalry struck at Changban, people and soldiers broke together in confusion. Liu Bei left his wife and children behind and fled east toward Hanjin with a few dozen riders, among them Zhuge Liang, Zhang Fei and Zhao Yun. His two daughters were captured by Cao Chun, and Lady Gan and the infant Adou were left in the chaos.
- Changban, middayCh. 4
AloneZhao Yun Carries Adou
Someone reported: "Zhao Yun has ridden north. He has gone over to Cao Cao." Liu Bei hurled his hand-halberd in fury: "Zilong would never abandon me." And indeed Zhao Yun rode back alone into the enemy, found Lady Gan and Adou, clasped the child to his chest, and fought his way back through ring after ring of the enemy. The Romance says he went in and out seven times and cut down more than fifty officers.
- Changban bridgeCh. 5
Bridge"Zhang Fei of Yan Is Here!"
Zhang Fei held the rear with twenty riders, broke down the Changban bridge and stood with the river at his back. Levelling his serpent spear, eyes blazing, he roared: "I am Zhang Yide. Come and decide who dies!" Not one of Cao Cao's pursuers dared step forward, and in that time Liu Bei got away.
- HanjinCh. 6
HanjinGuan Yu's Boats
At Hanjin Liu Bei was met by Guan Yu, who had brought the fleet down the Han River. Liu Qi of Jiangxia joined too with 10,000 men, and Liu Bei's party crossed by boat to Xiakou. Cao Cao took Jiangling, but Liu Bei had slipped through his fingers.
- XiakouCh. 7
To Red CliffsThe Alliance with Sun Quan
Settled at Xiakou, Liu Bei sent Zhuge Liang to Sun Quan to conclude an alliance. That winter the Sun–Liu allied army burned Cao Cao's great host at Red Cliffs. The Adou whose life was saved at Changban was Liu Shan, the future second emperor of Shu Han.
In Ultra detailBattle Pass
The same scene in the standard quality and in Ultra detail. Drag the line to compare, and switch between "Wide" and "Close-up". Ultra detail adds rugged mountains, forests and rocks in 3D, rippling seas and rivers, rows in the fields and soldiers as figures. Chapter 1 of every battle can be watched in Ultra detail without the Battle Pass.
FAQ
What was the Battle of Changban?
Cao Cao's 5,000 elite horsemen catch Liu Bei as he flees south with a hundred thousand civilians. Zhao Yun rides back alone into the enemy to rescue the infant Adou, and Zhang Fei stands astride the Changban bridge to halt a whole army. The overture to Red Cliffs.
When and where did the Battle of Changban take place?
It took place in 208 at Changban, Dangyang, Jing Province (13th year of Jian'an (Later Han)).
Who fought in the Battle of Changban?
Liu Bei of the Liu Bei's army, Cao Cao of the Cao Cao's army were among the commanders.
Can I watch the Battle of Changban in 3D?
Yes. This page plays a free three-minute 3D animated overview showing the deployments, the movements of each army and how the battle was decided.