Mausoleum of General Yue Fei
It is one of Hangzhou's big draws. The twelfth-century Song general, Yuefei is considered a hero in modern China thanks to his unquestioning patriotism. Having emerged victorious from a war against nomadic invaders from the north, he was falsely charged with treachery by a jealous prime minister - Qinhui, found guilty and executed at the age of 39. However, twenty years after his death, the next emperor annulled all charges against him and had him reburied here with full honors. People often come to show respects to this heroic martyr. In the two side halls of the temple are 120 tablets; the tablets are engraved with Yue Fei's poems as well as eulogies to him by noted figures.
The buildings of the mausoleum have been destroyed and rebuilt for several times. The present structure was the product of the restoration in 1923. It contains a 4.54-meter-high statue of Yuefei, which was well armed with a sword in the left hand, seeming to prepare for fighting at all time. A calligraphy work of Yuefei reading "return the mountains and rivers to us" is hung on the wall, being a reference to his patriotism and resistance to the Jurchen. In the two side halls of the temple are 120 tablets; the tablets are engraved with Yuefei's poems as well as eulogies to him by noted figures.
To the right of memorial temple is the mausoleum of Yuefei. Four iron statues: Qinhui and his wife, Zhangjun and Mo Qixie are kneeling in front of the tomb, all cursed and spat by visitors for their guilt. On both side of the tomb are six stone figures, two horses, two tiger and two goats, symbolizing the guards of Yuefei.
More Attractions in Hangzhou
