Tomb of Yue Fei
Overview
The Tomb of Yue Fei is a significant historical site located at No. 80 Beishan Road, Xihu District, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, China. This mausoleum commemorates Yue Fei (1103-1142), a renowned general of the Southern Song Dynasty who is celebrated for his military prowess and unwavering patriotism. The tomb complex, which spans an area of 23.5 mu (approximately 3.9 acres), was established in 1162 and has undergone numerous renovations throughout history. It is recognized as one of the first batch of National Key Cultural Relics Protection Units in China and serves as both a historical monument and a cultural symbol of patriotism and loyalty.
History
The history of the Tomb of Yue Fei is deeply intertwined with the life and legacy of its namesake. On the 29th day of the 12th lunar month in 1142 (January 27, 1142), Yue Fei was wrongfully executed by order of Chancellor Qin Hui. According to historical accounts, a prison guard named Kuai Shun secretly carried Yue Fei's body out of Lin'an (modern-day Hangzhou) and buried it at Jiuqu Congci in Beishan.
Following the ascension of Emperor Xiaozong to the Song throne in 1162, the emperor issued an edict to posthumously rehabilitate Yue Fei. Yue Fei's remains were reburied with the honors befitting a first-rank official at the southern foot of Qixia Ridge in Hangzhou. Since then, successive dynasties have undertaken repairs and renovations to the tomb complex.
During the 14th year of the Jiading era (1221), Emperor Ningzong issued an imperial decree to transform Zhiguo Guanyin Temple near Yue Fei's tomb into "Baozhong Yanfu Zen Temple" and erected the "Imperial Edict Granting the Name Baozhong Yanfu Temple" stele to commemorate Yue Fei's achievements.
During the Yuan Dynasty, the tomb was referred to as "Jingzhong Temple" (Temple of Ultimate Loyalty). In the Tianshun era of the Ming Dynasty (1457-1464), the temple was renamed "Yue Wang Temple" (King Yue Temple) and granted the plaque "Zhong Lie" (Loyal and Valiant).
In the 54th year of the Kangxi era of the Qing Dynasty (1715), the tomb underwent significant renovation that altered its original architectural specifications. In the 6th year of the Jiaqing era (1801), Governor of Zhejiang Ruan Yuan renovated the tomb and hung the "Yue Wang Temple" plaque at the main entrance, a name that has since been used consistently.
In 1918, the tomb underwent a comprehensive renovation, and the "Yue Wang Temple" plaque was hung at the entrance of the Loyal Martyrs Shrine. In 1978, the tomb was largely restored according to its original Southern Song specifications and reopened to the public. The following year, it underwent complete renovation in the Southern Song architectural style, during which two Southern Song stone statues were unearthed on both sides of the tomb path, providing important physical evidence of the ceremonial reburial of Yue Fei's remains at the current location.
Key Information
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Chinese Name | 岳飞墓 (Yue Fei Mu) |
| Location | No. 80 Beishan Road, Xihu District, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, China |
| Era | Southern Song Dynasty (established 1162) |
| Area | 23.5 mu (approximately 3.9 acres) |
| Protection Level | First batch of National Key Cultural Relics Protection Units (1961) |
| Opening Hours | 07:00-17:00 |
| Climate | Subtropical monsoon climate |
| Notable Feature | Loyal Martyrs Shrine (忠烈祠) |
Cultural Significance
The Tomb of Yue Fei holds profound cultural significance in Chinese history and society. As a memorial to Yue Fei, who is revered as a national hero, the tomb embodies the values of patriotism, loyalty, and sacrifice. Yue Fei's famous motto "Jin Zhong Bao Guo" (尽忠报国, "Serve the country with utmost loyalty") is prominently displayed on a screen wall at the tomb entrance and has become a cornerstone of Chinese patriotic education.
The tomb complex also contains numerous stone tablets inscribed with poems and essays by historical figures commemorating Yue Fei. Among these is a poem by the modern Chinese diplomat and poet Li Shengjiao:
"Shifei gongguo zhuan cheng kong, Yue mu danxia zizai hong.\nFengyue buzhi chenzi hen, zhonghun dang xian jiu zhou tong."
("Right and wrong, merit and fault turn to empty air,\nYue's tomb bathed in crimson mist remains vibrant.\nThe wind and moon know not of a subject's sorrow,\nThe loyal soul should envy the unity of the nine provinces.")
The tomb's historical and cultural significance extends beyond Yue Fei himself. It serves as a physical reminder of the political struggles during the Southern Song Dynasty, particularly the conflict between the pro-war faction led by Yue Fei and the peace faction led by Chancellor Qin Hui. The kneeling statues of Qin Hui and his accomplices at the tomb entrance symbolize the historical judgment against those who betrayed Yue Fei and the nation's interests.
Modern Status
Today, the Tomb of Yue Fei is a protected national heritage site and popular tourist destination. It is administered by the Hangzhou Municipal Bureau of Cultural Relics and has been designated as a National AAAA-level Tourist Attraction. The tomb complex underwent comprehensive renovations in the late 1970s and early 1980s, restoring it to its Southern Song architectural style.
The tomb area is divided into three main sections from west to east: the Loyal Martyrs Shrine area, the tomb area, and the Qizhong Shrine area. The tomb itself is surrounded by a stone wall, with a stele bearing the inscription "Song Yue E Wang Mu" (Tomb of Yue Fei, Prince of E of the Song Dynasty). To the left of Yue Fei's tomb is the tomb of his son, Yue Yun, with the inscription "Song Ji Zhong Hou Yue Yun Mu" (Tomb of Yue Yun, Marquis of Continued Loyalty of the Song Dynasty).
The Qizhong Shrine, located to the west of the Loyal Martyrs Shrine, was converted in 1984 into the Yue Fei Memorial Hall, which features three exhibition rooms displaying historical materials and artifacts related to Yue Fei's life and legacy. Among the exhibits is a Southern Song stone statue unearthed during the 1979 tomb renovations.
The tomb complex hosts regular commemorative events, including the annual sacrificial ceremony on the anniversary of Yue Fei's birth. In 2023, a grand ceremony commemorating the 920th anniversary of Yue Fei's birth was held at the Yue Wang Temple. Similarly, in 2026, the "Loyal Soul by the West Lake" event was held to commemorate the 923rd anniversary of Yue Fei's birth.
References
- Ebrey, Patricia Buckley. The Cambridge Illustrated History of China. Cambridge University Press, 2010.
- Hargett, James M. Yue Fei and the Southern Song Defense of the Yangtze Valley. Journal of Asian History, vol. 29, no. 1, 1995, pp. 1-29.
- Spence, Jonathan D. The Search for Modern China. W.W. Norton & Company, 2011.
- 叶卓东 (Ye Zhuodong). "岳飞墓的历史沿革与建筑特色" (Historical Evolution and Architectural Features of Yue Fei's Tomb). 杭州研究 (Hangzhou Studies), vol. 12, no. 3, 2018, pp. 45-62.
- 张明 (Zhang Ming). "岳飞墓文物保护与利用研究" (Research on the Protection and Utilization of Yue Fei's Tomb). 文物保护与考古科学 (Cultural Relics Protection and Archaeological Science), vol. 30, no. 2, 2018, pp. 78-95.