Day 8: Hangzhou (Part I)

We woke up early in the morning to claim our free breakfasts and refund from the tourist information centre (refer to my previous post to find out why). It was our second last day in Hangzhou already and we couldn't afford to have anymore delays. We were determined to cover as many places as possible. Crossing the Bai Causeway 白堤, we came upon Gu Mountains 孤山.

Hangzhou History Museum 杭州历史博物馆

The best thing about this place, is that the admission was free. Other than that, I really couldn't appreciate the artifacts that were being displayed. I mean, they all looked the same to me. I couldn't differentiate those from the china I have at home.

Blue Porcelain Vase 青瓷瓶.

The bowl I used at home wouldn't look less valuable than this - my opinion.

Mr. Chin looking bored.

World view of West Lake 西湖天下景

Xiling Seal Engravers' Society 西冷印社

Xiling Seal Engravers' Society 西冷印社 is a well-known academic society majors in studying inscriptions on ancient bronzes and stone tablets. Currently, there are plenty of valuable inscriptions and stone carvings in the society dating back 1940 years to the Eastern Han Dynasty. The society is also a beautiful traditional garden that creates a serene, agreeable atmosphere mingling scenery with art. (Reference site: China Connection Tours.) Admission was also free.

With a smile, hundreds of worries shall be forgotten 一笑百虑忘.

A beautiful garden indeed.

YueFei Temple 岳王庙

YueFei was a famous Chinese patriot and a military general in the Song Dynasty. At that time, the country was under attack by the Jurchen. The capital city, Kaifeng had been taken over and Emperor Qinzong had been captured. YueFei fought a long campaign against the invading army in an effort to retake the north of the country. Just when he was threatening to attack and retake Kaifeng, corrupted officials advised Emperor Gaozong to recall YueFei to the capital and sue for peace with the Jurchen. Fearing that a defeat at Kaifeng might cause the Jurchen to release Qinzong, threatening his claim to the throne, the emperor followed their advice. Yue Fei was ordered to return twelve times in the form of twelve gold plaques. He was finally killed in the prison. (Reference from Wikipedia.)

Two pillars at the entrance of the temple with engraves of lines from a poem that YueFei wrote:

八千里路云和月

五十功名尘与土

壮怀激烈

I used to read this poem in school when I was young.

National hero 民族英雄.

满江红 was the poem YueFei wrote expressing his emotions when he was forced to give up defeating the Jurchen. He knew he had to die being framed with crimes he didn't commit.

The statues of the corrupted government officials who framed YueFei were made to kneel before his tomb. There was a signboard saying "do not spit".

Killed by YueFei.

Mr. Chin saying hi to YueFei.