| 712 | Born in Gong District, Henan. Father, Du Xian, a minor official. |
| 731–735 | Period of youthful wandering in area of Jiangsu and Zhejiang (Wu and Yue). |
| 735 | Goes to Chang’an to take jinshi examination; fails exam. |
| 736–740 | Period of wandering in Shandong and Hebei (Qi and Zhao). |
| 741 | Returns to Luoyang area. |
| 744–745 | Friendship with Li Bai in Luoyang area. |
| 746 | Goes to Chang’an. |
| 747 | Takes special exam given by Emperor Xuanzong. Due to machinations of chief minister Li Linfu, all candidates fail. |
| 750 | In Chang’an. Eldest son Zongwen born. |
| 753 | Second son Zongwu (Pony Boy) born. |
| 755 | Outbreak of An Lushan Rebellion. Luoyang falls to rebels. |
| 756 | Flees the rebels with his family; settles wife and family at Qiang Village in Fuzhou, north of capital. Emperor Xuanzong flees Chang’an, relinquishes throne to son, Emperor Suzong. Du Fu attempts to reach court of Suzong but is captured by rebels, detained in Chang’an. |
| 757 | In fourth month, escapes Chang’an, reaches court of Suzong at Fengxiang, is appointed Reminder. Incurs imperial displeasure for defending Fang Guan. Ordered to join family in Fuzhou. In eleventh month returns to Chang’an, now in government control. |
| 758 | In Chang’an in post of Reminder. In sixth month banished to minor post in Huazhou east of capital. |
| 759 | Leaves Huazhou in seventh month because of famine, travels west to Qinzhou. In tenth month goes to Tonggu. At end of year travels west to Chengdu in Sichuan. |
| 760 | Moves into thatched hall at Wash-Flower Stream in Chengdu. |
| 762 | To escape rebellion in Chengdu, moves to Zizhou. |
| 764 | Returns to Chengdu, takes post in local government. |
| 765 | Resigns post, returns to thatched hall. In fifth month leaves Chengdu with family, journeys down Yangzi River to Yun’an. |
| 766 | Travels down Yangzi to Kuizhou, moves into “western lodge.” |
| 767 | Moves to Rangxi, later to East Camp in Kuizhou. |
| 768 | Leaves Kuizhou, goes down Yangzi to Yueyang in Hunan. |
| 769 | Travels in Lake Dongting area. |
| 770 | In Tanzhou in Hunan. Hopes to travel on to Chang’an but dies in Tanzhou region near end of year. |