Bagua Tian (Eight Trigrams Field) Site

Bagua Tian Site

The Bagua Tian Site is a cultural relic protection unit of Hangzhou City.

Located at the southern foot of Yuhuang Mountain, it was where emperors of the Southern Song Dynasty held ceremonies to honor farming. The so-called Bagua Tian (Eight Trigrams Field) gets its name because the field is divided into eight sections, with a circular raised platform in the center that resembles the Eight Trigrams. The surrounding area features vast, flat farmland where local farmers plant crops of different colors on each section. As the seasons change, the scenery varies, offering a unique experience when viewed from above. In the Ming Dynasty, the literatus Gao Lian wrote in his "Four Seasons Seclusion Record": "In spring, when the rapeseed flowers bloom in clusters, looking from Bai Tian Ridge in the distance, the golden fields form a boundary and the green crops resemble jade fields, while the river waves ripple, creating an ethereal and tranquil scene full of transcendent meaning." Near Bagua Tian lies the ancient tomb of Queen Wu Hanyue of the Wuyue Kingdom during the Five Dynasties period.

The hiking trails up Yuhuang Mountain include: the northern route from Linhai Pavilion through Ciyun Ridge and Zilai Cave to the mountain top, with about 1,300 stone steps; the southern route from the Ceramics Market through Bagua Tian, Baiyun An, and the ancient path to Tianlong Temple; the western route starting from the entrance of Jiuyao Mountain Tunnel opposite the zoo, first ascending to Diping Ridge and Deyi Pavilion, then passing through Tiger Cave and Baoyue Pavilion to reach the summit; and the eastern route from Phoenix Mountain and Jiangtai Mountain to Ciyun Ridge, followed by the stone path to the mountain top. The paths within the mountain are well-maintained, clean, and convenient for walking.

Inside Bagua Tian, there are earthen mounds, field ridges, and ditches neatly arranged in the shape of the Eight Trigrams, covering an area of over 90 acres. One theory suggests Bagua Tian was the farmland of the Southern Song Dynasty, while more recent opinions propose it to be the site of the Southern Song Dynasty’s suburban altar, where the emperor worshipped heaven. The site has now been renovated into a scenic area.

Protected area: The area of Bagua Tian, with a total area of 39,012 square meters.

Construction control zone: To the east, extending to the west edge of Nanfu Road; to the south, extending to the north edge of Fenghuang Mountain Road; to the west, extending to the mountain retaining wall line, building fence line, and the construction control zone of West Lake Southern Mountain Carvings – Tianlong Temple Carvings; to the north, connecting to the construction control zone line of Hang County Office No. 171 Monument, with a total area of 160,532 square meters.

Address: Southern foot of Yuhuang Mountain, Xihu Subdistrict, Xihu District, Hangzhou City