Yue Fei Temple in Zhuxian Town

Yue Fei Temple in Zhuxian Town

Yue Fei Temple in Zhuxian Town is a national AA-level tourist attraction, a major historical and cultural site protected at the national level, and a patriotic education base.

Yue Fei Temple in Zhuxian Town is located in Zhuxian Town, one of China’s four most beautiful towns, on the west bank of the famous Yunliang River. According to the "Xiangfu County Annals" and the "Yue Ci Stele Inscription" by He Mengchun of the Ming Dynasty: “The Temple of King Zhongwu of E, the Song Dynasty, was first built in E, rebuilt in Hangzhou, thirdly in Tangyin, and now in Zhuxian Town, south of Liangcheng. The one in E was built where the King founded his kingdom, and a memorial was already erected there when his injustice was known; the one in Hangzhou houses the King’s tomb; the one in Tangyin is in his homeland... and Zhuxian Town is where the King’s merits lie, a place that must forever remember his loyal and indignant spirit.”

Zhuxian Town is where Yue Fei achieved great military feats and returned triumphantly to the capital. The Yue Temple was first built in the 14th year of the Chenghua reign during the Ming Dynasty (1478). It underwent expansions and renovations of varying scales in the 4th year of the Zhengde reign (1509), the 33rd year of the Wanli reign (1605), the 17th year of the Shunzhi reign of the Qing Dynasty (1660), and the 14th year of the Republic of China (1925). A major restoration and reconstruction took place in 1986, and it opened to the public in 1991.

The Yue Fei Temple is located within Zhuxian Town, Kaifeng County. According to the "Xiangfu County Annals" (Ming Dynasty) and the "Record of Yue Temple Renovation" by He Mengchun: In the 14th year of the Chenghua reign (1478), Provincial Administration Commissioner Wu Jie and Prefect Zhang Xiu built the Yue Fei Temple, which covered an area of 70 mu at the time. The temple faces south with its back to the north, has three courtyards, majestic halls, numerous stele pavilions, and a rich array of carvings, paintings, and castings. Architectural structures include the mountain gate, side halls, worship hall, main hall, stele tower, and bedroom hall—all grand and imposing in scale. It is one of the four great Yue Temples in China (hometown in Tangyin, burial place in Hangzhou, fief in Wuhan, and peak achievement in Kaifeng). Having withstood over 500 years of vicissitudes, it has undergone multiple restorations: in the 4th year of the Zhengde reign (1509), the 4th year of the Longqing reign (1570), the 33rd year of the Wanli reign (1605), the 2nd year of the Tianqi reign (1622), the 17th year of the Shunzhi reign (1660), the 33rd year of the Qianlong reign (1768), and after the founding of the People’s Republic of China. Between 1986 and 1990, major repairs were carried out on the mountain gate, side halls, stele tower, main hall, and enclosing wall, largely restoring its original appearance.

In front of the temple is a huge screen wall. The mountain gate has three bays, a depth of two bays, and a double-eaved hip-and-gable roof covered with green glazed tiles, resting on blue stone steps, giving it a simple and solemn appearance. On both sides of the gate are the newly restored east and west side halls. Along the central axis is a high platform foundation that was originally the worship hall site, but it no longer exists. There are iron-cast statues of five kneeling traitors: Qin Hui, Lady Wang, Moqi Xie, Zhang Jun, and Luo Ruji. These five conspired to frame Yue Fei and had him killed under the false charge of “having something he perhaps did,” earning the scorn of later generations. Further north are four stele towers, among which the tablets inscribed with “Man Jiang Hong” and “Farewell to Master Zhang of Ziyang on His Northern Expedition” feature bold, vigorous calligraphy and are considered treasures of the art. The other two tablets are “Record of the Completion of the Reconstruction of the Mu King Temple” and “Record of the Yue E Wumu King Temple in Zhuxian Town.” The main hall is five bays wide and three bays deep, with a green-tiled roof, soaring upturned eaves, carved windows, and painted beams. The rafters still bear ink inscriptions from the 2nd year of the Tianqi reign (1622). After renovation, it has regained its former majestic aura. At the center of the hall is a newly crafted tall statue of Yue Fei seated upright, dignified and awe-inspiring. Behind the main hall is the bedroom hall, housing bronze statues of Yue Fei and his wife in plain clothes, appearing simple, kind, and amiable.

A new stele forest has been built on the east side of the temple, featuring poems and essays praising Yue Fei’s achievements and expressing people’s reverence for him.

Adjacent to the east of Yue Fei Temple is Guan Yu Temple, which faces south and originally had grand architecture. It was built with funds raised by Shanxi merchants during the Qing Dynasty and included a mountain gate, bell and drum towers, main hall, Chunqiu Tower, and theater. The temple was abandoned in 1927, and only the main hall of five bays remains. In 1986, six side rooms were reconstructed in front of the hall. The temple houses two stone tablets: one is the “Record of the Reconstruction of Guan Yu Temple” from the 33rd year of the Qianlong reign (1768), and the other is the “Record of the Relocation of the Dance Tower” from the 40th year of the Qianlong reign (1775).

Yue Fei Temple in Zhuxian Town is a key cultural relic protection unit in Henan Province, a patriotic education base in Henan Province, and a moral education base for primary, secondary, and tertiary students in Henan Province. The temple currently covers an area of 18 mu, has three courtyards, and consists of a mountain gate, east and west side rooms, worship hall, main hall, Five Sons Shrine, Five Generals Shrine, and Yue Temple stele forest. The temple houses precious bronze gilt statues of Yue Fei and his wife, ancient steles such as “Sending the Child Cliff Master Zhang,” and an ancient Qingyun bronze bell. Around the temple are relics such as Yue Fei’s military command platform, the Qinglongbei ancient battlefield where resistance against the Jin took place, and the locust tree where Yue Fei tethered his horse. Yue Fei Temple is a popular destination for people from all walks of life to pay homage to the national hero Yue Fei.

Address: Yue Temple Street, Zhuxian Town, Xiangfu District, Kaifeng City

Transportation

Zhengzhou → Luokai Expressway → Jinming Avenue → Daliang Road → Jinming East Street → Jin’an Road → Kaifeng

Type: Historical Architecture / Ancestral Hall

Recommended Visit Duration: About 1 hour

Opening Hours:

8:00-17:00

Transportation:

Take a bus from the West Passenger Transport Station, fare 7 yuan

Ticket Price:

20 yuan

Yue Fei (1103–1142), courtesy name Pengju, was a native of Tangyin in Xiangzhou (now part of Henan), and an outstanding military strategist and tactician of the Northern Song Dynasty.

Yue Fei’s father, Yue He, and mother, Lady Yao, were farmers. In his youth, Yue Fei studied archery and spear techniques under Zhou Tong and Chen Guang, becoming the most skilled martial artist in the county. However, due to poverty, he later went to Xiangzhou (now Anyang) and “worked as a farmhand for Han Wei Gong (Qi).”

In the 4th year of the Xuanhe reign (1122), Yue Fei first joined the army. In October of the same year, during the Northern Song’s war against the Liao, he reached the Liao capital of Yanjing… More detailed information about Yue Fei ++

Zhuxian Town: Located on the banks of the Jialu River and Yunliang River, Zhuxian Town has been a vital hub for water and land transport and a commercial center in North China since the Tang and Song dynasties. During the late Ming and early Qing periods, it was ranked among China’s four great towns alongside Foshan in Guangdong, Hankou in Hubei, and Jingdezhen in Jiangxi.

Established in the early Warring States period, the town was named after Zhu Hai, who helped the Lord of Xinling “steal the tally to rescue Zhao.” It is recognized as one of Henan Province’s 117 key towns by the Henan Provincial Government and one of the nation’s 100 small towns selected for comprehensive socio-economic development pilot projects. It is also known as the hometown of Chinese woodblock New Year paintings.

Zhuxian Town enjoys convenient transportation and a prominent geographical advantage. To the north… More detailed information about Zhuxian Town ++

Further Reading:

· Second Batch of Henan Provincial Cultural Relic Protection Units

· Seventh Batch of Major National Historical and Cultural Sites