Located on the northwest corner of the West Lake, 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.
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.
Story of Yue Fei
From its name, we know that the mausoleum, built in memory of a famous national hero, Yue Fei ((24 March 1103 – 27 January 1142)). Yue Fei was the chief military general of the Southern Song Dynasty (1127 – 1279) during the battle against the Jin Dynasty (1115 – 1234). He is best known for leading Southern Song forces in the wars in the 12th century between Southern Song and the Jurchen-ruled Jin dynasty in northern China before being put to death by the Southern Song government in 1142. A few treacherous court officials persecuted him to his death.
Since the existing Emperor did not dare to give him an honorable burial, it was not until Emperor Gaozong’s death and the succeeding Emperor, that charges against Yue Fei were dropped. 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.
How to Get to Yue Fei Mausoleum
The temple ground is located near the West Lake, in central Hangzhou. It is easily reached by taxi or public buses.