Yue Fei Mausoleum
By admin on 2015-03-04

Attraction Type:

• Ancient Architectures in China

Located on the northwest corner of the West Lake, the Yue Fei Mausoleum was first built in 1221 in memory of national hero General Yue Fei of Southern Song Dynasty. In the center of main hall is a statue of Yue Fei wearing armored robe. Above the statue hangs an inscription written ‘Recover Our Lost Territories' in Yue's own handwriting. His tomb is situated in the west of compound.

From its name, we know that the mausoleum, built in memory of a famous national hero, Yue Fei (1103 - 1142). Yue Fei was the chief general of the Southern Song Dynasty (1127 - 1279) during the battle against the Jin Dynasty (1115 - 1234). However, a few treacherous court officials persecuted him to his death. After 21 years, Emperor Song Xiaozong (reigning from 1162 to 1189) ordered the exoneration of Yue Fei from the unwarranted crime and had his remains interred here.

In front of the Mausoleum stands a gate. Going through the gate and along a corridor, you will see the Mausoleum of Yue Fei at the center flanked by the tomb of his son, Yue Yun to the left. In front of the tomb gate, four iron figures kneel with hands behind their backs. Those figures are the statues of Qin Hui, Qin's wife, Zhang Jun, etc. It was them they who betrayed Yue Fei and caused his death.