Wugang Wumu Palace

Wugang Wumu Palace

Wugang Wumu Palace is a cultural relic protection unit of Hunan Province.

Wugang Wumu Palace is located in Wangjiaping, Changchao Village, Simachong Town, 33 kilometers from Wugang City. "Wumu" is the posthumous title of Yue Fei. In the first year of the Longxing era of the Southern Song Dynasty (1163), Emperor Xiaozong of Song, Zhao Shen, honored Yue Fei’s patriotism and national integrity by bestowing upon him the posthumous title "Wumu." Subsequently, "Wumu Palaces" or "Wumu Shrines" were built in various places...

Wugang Wumu Palace was expanded in 1876 (the second year of the Guangxu reign). Prior to that, it was Xinglong An, originally built in 1406 (the fourth year of the Yongle reign of the Ming Dynasty), which housed statues of Yue Fei, his son Yue Yun, and Zhang Xian. The expanded Wumu Palace faces southeast and is situated northwest, covering an area of 655 square meters, with a brick-and-wood structure modeled after ancient palatial architecture. The front of the palace has three gates. The central gate is a square stone archway, while the two side gates are round arches. Above the main gate are the bold and striking characters “Wu Mu Gong” (Wumu Palace). The stone pillars on either side of the gate are inscribed with a couplet: “Following the imperial order to retreat, heroes’ hearts are often filled with tears; embodying moral teachings, the new temple offers renewed homage.” The lintel above the gate features a carved design of two dragons competing for a pearl, with a Taiji diagram and clouds engraved beneath it. The left archway is inscribed with the word “Loyalty,” and the right with “Patriotism.” The pillars beside both side archways are adorned with decorative patterns, and the walls beneath the eaves, though eroded by wind and rain and now blurred in many parts, still faintly display historical stories and landscapes. These carvings and murals, artistic works from the late Qing Dynasty over 115 years ago, reflect the artistic styles and folk artistry of the time, and are all valuable historical relics.

According to local elders, after the completion of Wumu Palace, every year on the 15th day of the second lunar month — the birthday of Yue Fei — villagers from all around would gather in the palace to hold grand sacrificial ceremonies. They would slaughter pigs and sheep, host lavish banquets, and put on operas for several days, creating a lively atmosphere. Then, in the fourth lunar month, the villagers would hold a grand procession to carry the statue. On that day, eight strong villagers would carry the majestic statue of Yue Fei from Wumu Palace, passing through nearby villages and fields, allowing Yue Fei to visit the people and inspect the crops. In years of drought, villagers would dress as Yue Fei’s soldiers, carrying the statue from the palace through villages and ridges to pray for rain. At such times, soldiers in the front would hold yellow parasols and banners, while others carried signs reading “Make Way” and “Silence.” Behind them, soldiers carried weapons like swords, spears, hoes, and clubs, waving flags and shouting amid the sounds of drums and music. Lion dancers, stilt walkers, suona players, and villagers from dozens of surrounding miles would also come from all directions to join the procession.

Wherever Yue Fei’s statue went, villagers would set up incense tables by the roadside, waiting reverently to welcome it. They would kneel and bow to express their heartfelt admiration for Yue Fei, silently praying for his divine protection for family safety, longevity, and a bountiful harvest. One elderly villager could still recall attending the grand celebrations for the Yue Fei statue when he was a child. He said he once held a flag bearing the character “Yue” and even performed in plays about Yue Fei’s deeds. Whenever the scene of Marshal Yue being ordered to retreat from Zhuxian Town was performed, everyone would sing together, “Ten years of effort, destroyed in a single day.” And when the scene of the marshal’s unjust death was depicted, the crowd would sing sorrowfully, “The heavens and the sun bear witness, the heavens and the sun bear witness.” In this way, the heroic deeds of Yue Fei have been passed down through generations in the area, enduring through the ages without fading.

Changchao Village: Changchao Village... Detailed information on Changchao Village++

Further Reading:

· Ninth Batch of Cultural Relic Protection Units of Hunan Province