About the Battle of Wuzhang Plains
The Battle of Wuzhang Plains was fought in 234 (Autumn, 12th year of Jianxing (Shu)) at Wuzhang Plains, Yong Province. A stand-off of more than a hundred days across the Wei River. Zhuge Liang, who had staked everything on the northern expedition, fell like a star in his camp, and even in death sent Sima Yi running.
- Year
- 234Autumn, 12th year of Jianxing (Shu)
- Place
- Wuzhang Plains, Yong Province
- Era
- Three Kingdoms period
The two armies
Shu Han army Commander-in-chiefZhuge Liang 18,0004 units 
Wei army Commander-in-chiefSima Yi 18,0003 units Troop strengthTotal of the units shown in 3D
Main camp 6,000Fought 12,000
Fought 18,000
Shu Han armyBy troop strength
- Zhuge Liang 諸葛亮 Commander-in-chief 6,000
-
Jiang Wei 姜維 5,000 - Wei Yan 魏延 4,000
- Statue of Zhuge Liang 諸葛亮の木像 3,000
Wei armyBy troop strength
- Sima Yi 司馬懿 Commander-in-chief 8,000
- Guo Huai 郭淮 5,000
- Sima Shi 司馬師 5,000
Portraits are public-domain images from Wikimedia Commons (some are later imagined depictions).
How the battle unfoldedTimes follow the 3D clock
- Stand-off: day 1Ch. 1
LinesCrossing the Wei River
In the 12th year of Jianxing Zhuge Liang set out on his fifth northern expedition. He crossed the Wei River, deployed on the Wuzhang Plains and eyed Chang'an. Sima Yi, facing him, built strong fortifications on the opposite bank and simply held them without moving. A stand-off began between a chancellor who wanted a decisive battle and a veteran who meant to avoid one.
- Stand-off: 2nd weekCh. 2
TauntA Gift of Women's Clothes
To draw out the immovable Sima Yi, Zhuge Liang sent him women's clothing and a headscarf: a stinging taunt that a man who would not fight was no better than a woman. The Wei generals were furious, but Sima Yi accepted the gift with an unruffled face and never sent out his troops.
- Stand-off: day 100+Ch. 3
FarmsTilling the Fields by the Wei
Prepared for a long campaign, Zhuge Liang set up military farms along the Wei. Soldiers worked the fields alongside the peasants and fed themselves from the land. The stand-off lasted more than a hundred days. But the chancellor's body was already worn down by years of overwork.
- Autumn, 8th monthCh. 4
StarAutumn Wind on the Wuzhang Plains
As the autumn wind crossed the plain, Zhuge Liang collapsed at last in his camp. "Vast is the blue heaven; what manner of man is this?" Still clutching the dream of restoring the Han, the great star fell quietly to earth. He was 54. A life of "bending his back and wearing himself out" ended here.
- WithdrawalCh. 5
RetreatWithdrawing in Secret Mourning
Jiang Wei concealed the chancellor's death and began an orderly withdrawal of the whole army. The camp stayed quiet, the ranks unbroken, moving toward the southern valleys. From the Wei lines it looked only as if the Shu army was pulling back with unusual composure.
- WithdrawalCh. 6
FlightThe Dead Kongming Routs the Living Zhongda
Sensing something amiss, Sima Yi at last went over to the pursuit. But the Shu army turned its banners and raised a wooden statue of Zhuge Liang on a carriage. Was he alive? Fearing a trap, Sima Yi withdrew in disarray. "The dead Kongming put the living Zhongda to flight" became a joke for generations.
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 Wuzhang Plains?
A stand-off of more than a hundred days across the Wei River. Zhuge Liang, who had staked everything on the northern expedition, fell like a star in his camp, and even in death sent Sima Yi running.
When and where did the Battle of Wuzhang Plains take place?
It took place in 234 at Wuzhang Plains, Yong Province (Autumn, 12th year of Jianxing (Shu)).
Who fought in the Battle of Wuzhang Plains?
Zhuge Liang of the Shu Han army, Sima Yi of the Wei army were among the commanders.
Can I watch the Battle of Wuzhang Plains 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.