About Duan Yu
Born 1150. Duan Yu was a Chinese ruler.
Duan Yu (1083–1176), courtesy name Heyu, also known by his temple name as the Emperor Xianzong of Dali, was the 16th emperor of the Dali Kingdom, reigning between 1108 and 1147. Following a family tradition, Duan's father, Duan Zhengchun, abdicated and became a monk in 1108. Duan succeeded his father as the emperor of Dali and renamed himself Duan Zhengyan (段æ£åš´). He abdicated and became a monk in 1147 and was succeeded by his son Duan Zhengxing.
In fiction
Duan Yu is fictionalized as one of the main characters in the wuxia Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils by Louis Cha.
Portrayed in Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils by Kent Tong (1982) Portrayed in Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils by Eddie Kwan (1991) Portrayed in Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils by Benny Chan (1997) Portrayed in Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils by Jimmy Lin (2003) Portrayed in Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils by Kim Ki-bum (2013) Portrayed in Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils by Bai Shu (2021)
Don’t just read it —
keep it.
Full-length biographies made to live with: read them, listen on the way to work, watch them tonight.
- E-book
- Audio
- Video
Instant download · yours to keep · every purchase keeps this site free
Important facts
Frequently asked questions
Who was Duan Yu?
emperor of the Kingdom of Dali
When was Duan Yu born?
Duan Yu was born in 1150.
What was Duan Yu's occupation?
Duan Yu was a ruler.
What nationality was Duan Yu?
Duan Yu was Chinese.
Sources & further reading
Cite this page
APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Duan Yu. https://biography.guide/duan-yu/
MLA: "Duan Yu." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/duan-yu/.
Chicago: "Duan Yu." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/duan-yu/.
Data last updated: 2026-09-20 · Spot an error? Report a correction.
Page generated 2026-09-27 05:00 UTC