Yuewang Temple Scenic Area

Located in the northwest corner of the West Lake Scenic Area, opposite Quyuan Garden, Yue Fei Temple is a place commemorating the national hero Yue Fei. The tombs of Yue Fei and his son, and the four kneeling statues of treacherous officials, including Qin Hui, who have knelt before the tomb for a thousand years, stir people’s emotions. In addition, the exhibition hall also displays historical materials about Yue Fei’s life, allowing visitors to learn about General Yue’s life of “serving the country with utmost loyalty.” Upon entering the main gate of the scenic area, there is a square courtyard, with the main building of Yue Fei Temple, the Temple of Loyalty, directly ahead. The main hall is dedicated to Yue Fei, with a solemn plaque above the door inscribed with the four characters “Heart Shines Like the Sun.” Stepping into the main hall, one is greeted by a full-body statue of Yue Fei in military attire, with his oath “Return My Rivers and Mountains” hanging high above his head. Murals on the walls around the main hall depict Yue Fei’s life, among which the classic story of “Yue Fei’s Mother Tattooing His Back” is widely circulated. On both sides of the main hall are enshrined Yue Fei’s two great generals, Niu Gao and Zhang Xian. After visiting the main hall, return to the courtyard, walk west through the stele corridor, and cross Jingzhong Bridge to reach the tomb area, where the larger and smaller tombs belong to Yue Fei and his son Yue Yun. Facing Yue Fei’s tomb is an archway, with a pair of iron-cast kneeling statues of treacherous officials on each side of the gate. They face Yue Fei’s tomb, kneeling to beg for forgiveness from Yue Fei; on the left are Qin Hui and his wife, Lady Wang. In the past, when people came here, in addition to paying homage to the national hero, an important thing to do was to spit at these two pairs of kneeling statues.