Behind the Stone: A Story of the Mausoleum of General of Yue Fei
Travel in Hangzhou
Hot China City Tours
Table of Contents
- 1. A Quick Tomb of Yue Fei Facts
- 2. The Legend of a Hero: Who Was Yue Fei?
- 3. What to See: The Soul of Yue fei’s Tomb
- 4. How to Get to the Mausoleum of General Yue Fei
- 5. Explore Hangzhou’s History with Easy Tour China
The Mausoleum of General Yue Fei is nestled at the foot of Qixia Hill and on the shores of Hangzhou’s iconic West Lake.
A visit to Yue Fei’s tomb is not just a tourist stop but a journey into the heart of a Chinese hero, where honor and betrayal intertwine. For anyone planning a visit to Hangzhou, the tomb of Yue Fei offers everyone a profound counterpoint to the city’s natural beauty, immersing travelers in the deep cultural and historical narratives of the Southern Song Dynasty.
A Quick Tomb of Yue Fei Facts
The Legend of a Hero: Who Was Yue Fei?
Yuefei is considered a hero in modern China thanks to his unquestioning patriotism. He achieved victory in his battles of the Song Dynasty against nomadic invaders from the north. Born in a humble family, his loyalty was so absolute that his mother tattooed the characters “Jingzhong Bao Guo” (精忠报国) on his back before he left for war. This phrase would define his life.
Despite pushing back the enemy and being on the verge of regaining lost territory, Yue Fei was betrayed by a jealous prime minister, Qin Hui, who falsely accused him of treason. He was unjustly imprisoned and executed at the age of only 39. This great Chinese national hero was finally exonerated 20 years later and buried with full honors at this very spot.
And why is Yue Fei famous in China? The deep injustice of the Yue Fei story has resonated through the centuries, cementing his status as one of the most loyal martyrs in Chinese culture.
What to See: The Soul of Yue fei’s Tomb
Exploring the Mausoleum of General Yue Fei in your Hangzhou tour is a walk through history, divided into distinct and powerful sections. Here are the highlights you cannot miss.
The Loyal Martyr’s Hall (忠烈祠)
Outside the main hall lies the outdoor exhibition area for damaged cultural relics, showcasing a collection of stone artifacts from the Southern Song Dynasty that have been gathered over the years.
Inside the hall, a colorful statue of Yue Fei stands at the center. With a sword in his left hand, his expression is forever vigilant. Above the statue, his powerful calligraphy, “Return the mountains and rivers to us” (还我河山), a stirring testament to his life’s mission. The walls are lined with 120 stone tablets inscribed with his poetry and tributes from later generations.
The Tomb and the Kneeling Statues
The Yue Fei’s tomb is the soul of the entire attraction. To the right of the hall lies the tomb of Yue Fei itself, with the tomb of his son, Yue Yun, nearby.
At the tomb of Yue Fei and his son, there are four iron statues: Qinhui and his wife, Zhangjun and Mo Qixie are kneeling in front of the tomb, all cursed and spat on by visitors for their guilt. Behind the kneeling statue, the tomb gate bears the couplet: “The green hills are fortunate to bury the loyal bones; the white iron is innocent to cast the treacherous minister.”
Before the screen wall of the mausoleum, the stele corridors flank both the north and south sides, displaying a total of 125 stone steles from successive dynasties. The northern gallery displays Yue Fei’s poetry, memorials, handwritten manuscripts, and portrait steles, while the southern gallery houses poems, memorial texts, and steles commemorating the tomb’s restoration by later generations.
Stone Guardians
Flanking the tomb path are a procession of stone statues—two each of warriors, horses, tigers, and rams. These are not merely decorative; they are symbolic guardians protecting the general for eternity.
How to Get to the Mausoleum of General Yue Fei
By Bus
Take buses No. 27, 118, 51, or 52 (Outer Loop) to the “Yuemiao” (岳王庙) or “Yuefen” (岳坟站) stop.By Subway
You can take Metro Line 3 to “Huanglongdong” (黄龙洞) Station. After exiting from Exit B, it's a 10-minute bike ride to reach your destination.
On Foot
If you are walking the causeways of West Lake, particularly near the end of Su Causeway, it’s just a 2-minute walk to your destination.
Explore Hangzhou’s History with Easy Tour China
Standing before the tomb of Yue Fei, you’ll feel a thousand years of Chinese history and the enduring power of Yue Fei’s loyalty. To truly understand the layers of this beautiful city, from the serene Lingyin temples to the vibrant Longjing tea plantation, just let Easy Tour China handle the details while you immerse yourself in Hangzhou’s history. Here are some recommended Hangzhou itineraries.
