Wanbian Pavilion

Wanbian Pavilion

“Wanbian Pavilion” is one of the ancient “Eight Scenic Spots of Wuhu,” celebrated for centuries through its moving historical tales. Originally built in the seventh year of the Yuanfeng era during the Northern Song Dynasty (1085), it was later destroyed. It was reconstructed during the Ming Dynasty, renovated again in the Qing Dynasty, and then fell into disuse once more. The current pavilion was newly constructed in 1984 within the Tingtang Park in the northern suburbs of the city. Standing 10 meters tall with two stories and eight octagonal pillars, the pavilion is resplendent in gold and color. Inside, it features four vivid murals depicting how Emperor Ming of the Jin Dynasty escaped by discarding his treasured whip.

According to the Book of Jin, in the second year of the Tai Ning era during the Eastern Jin Dynasty (324), the minister Wang Dun plotted a rebellion. Emperor Ming of Jin “got wind of it secretly,” and so dressed in plain clothes, he rode alone and quietly “arrived at Hu,” covertly inspecting Wang Dun’s camp. He was discovered and pursued. To escape, the emperor handed his precious seven-jeweled horsewhip to an old woman selling food by the roadside, saying: “When the pursuers come, you can show them this.” Soon after, “the pursuers arrived,” and seeing the valuable whip, they “passed it around and admired it for a long time.” Taking the opportunity, the emperor fled far away. Li Bai wrote in his poem “Reflections on Fleeing South”: “Alas, I lacked my seven-jeweled whip — lingering by the road to admire it,” referring to this very story.

Wanbian Pavilion has long been a famed scenic attraction, leaving behind numerous poetic inscriptions by literati. Su Zhe wrote: “The seven-jeweled whip left by the roadside; even brave warriors hesitated and could not pursue,” and Huang Tingjian penned: “To this day, the bamboo roots by the pavilion spread — still recalling that seven-jeweled whip of old,” both evoking deep emotion. Visiting Wanbian Pavilion in spring, “with warm winds and idle clouds, ascending this pavilion, where flowers bloom brilliantly and birds chirp sweetly,” one is intoxicated by the boundless beauty. The winding bridges, small islands, long corridors, stone carvings, ancient wells, and old bells all inspire the feeling: “How I wish to capture this scene in a painting — yet even the most vibrant brush cannot rival nature’s divine artistry.”