Yue Fei Temple

Temple Temple complex in Hangzhou honoring general Yue Fei

A memorial complex on Hangzhou’s West Lake honoring Song general Yue Fei, featuring halls, inscriptions and easy access to West Lake walks.

Main image

Yue Fei Temple is a commemorative temple complex in Hangzhou, Zhejiang, dedicated to the Song dynasty general Yue Fei (1103-1142). It stands adjacent to West Lake and serves as a memorial to Yue Fei’s life and loyalty.

A large statue of Yue Fei in the main hall, memorial tablets and a tomb area where the general is honoured, as well as a stele pavilion containing inscribed tablets. The ensemble is compact and focused on commemoration rather than large-scale monastic functions.

The temple was established after Yue Fei’s death to honour the general and has been repaired and rebuilt in subsequent dynasties; surviving structures and later restorations reflect Ming and Qing-period reconstructions. The site’s primary purpose throughout has been memorial and educational rather than residential monastic use.

The complex sits at the eastern edge of West Lake in central Hangzhou, a short distance from the city’s historic centre and easily accessed from lakeside paths and tourist routes.

  • Combine with West Lake: Best visited together with West Lake itineraries; the temple sits at the eastern edge of West Lake and is often combined with a lakeside walk.
  • Dedicated figure: The site commemorates Yue Fei (1103-1142), a Song dynasty general whose life and loyalty are central to the temple's purpose and displays.

What to See #

  • Main hall and statue: Memorial hall and main worship hall containing a large statue of General Yue Fei and commemorative tablets dedicated to his loyalty and service.
  • Tomb complex: Tomb area and small cemetery where Yue Fei and members of his family are commemorated, set behind the main temple buildings.
  • Stele pavilion: Stele pavilion containing inscribed stone tablets and memorial inscriptions erected in later dynasties to honour Yue Fei's legacy.
Yue Fei Temple
Yue Fei Temple, Xi Hu (West Lake) North Shore, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
30.2541, 120.1302
Typically 8:00am-5:00pm (local variations possible)
Free or a nominal local fee for access to the West Lake precinct (varies by season and local management)

How to Get to Yue Fei Temple #

The temple sits on West Lake’s north shore, a 15-20 minute walk from the Dragon Well (Longjing) area or a short taxi ride from Hangzhou East Railway Station (about 20 minutes). City buses and tourist shuttles serving the West Lake circuit stop nearby.

Tips for Visiting Yue Fei Temple #

  • Combine a visit with a boat ride on West Lake to view the temple from the water - the north shore offers more contemplative angles.
  • Inspect the stone inscriptions: the phrase '尽忠报国' (Serve the country with utmost loyalty) looms at the site and speaks to the cult of Yue Fei.
  • Midweek mornings are least crowded; late afternoon light catches the red lacquer and black tiles beautifully.

Best Time to Visit Yue Fei Temple #

Best seen in spring or autumn when the West Lake landscape frames the temple's red pavilions and the crowds are thinner.

Spring
Mar-May · 10-22°C
Peach and willow buds; the memorial figures into clearer views across the often-misty lake.
Autumn
Sep-Nov · 15-23°C
Crisp air and lantern-lit evenings; many locals come to pay respects during national remembrance days.
Summer
Jun-Aug · 25-35°C
Hotter and busier; early morning visits are recommended to avoid crowds.

Weather & Climate near Yue Fei Temple #

Climate

Yue Fei Temple's climate is classified as Humid Subtropical - Humid Subtropical climate with hot summers (peaking in July) and cold winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from 1°C to 33°C. Abundant rainfall (1316 mm/year), wettest in June.

Air Quality: AQI 99 Moderate
Best Time to Visit
OctoberNovemberMay
Temperature & Rainfall
Temperature Range
42°
Warmest Month
-14°
Coldest Month
Monthly Conditions

January

January is the coolest month with highs of 8°C and lows of 1°C. Moderate rainfall (53 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

51 Acceptable

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
80%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

53 mm
Rainfall
2.3 m/s
Wind
Calm
0.4
UV Index
Low
10.3h daylight

February

February is cold with highs of 10°C and lows of 2°C. Regular rainfall (81 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

55 Acceptable

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
10°
81%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

81 mm
Rainfall
2.3 m/s
Wind
Calm
0.6
UV Index
Moderate
11.0h daylight

March

March is cold with highs of 14°C and lows of 6°C. Significant rainfall (114 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

55 Acceptable

Comfort

10°
Feels Like Cold
10°C
Temperature
14°
79%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

114 mm
Rainfall
2.8 m/s
Wind
Calm
0.9
UV Index
Moderate
11.9h daylight

April

April is cool with highs of 20°C and lows of 12°C. Significant rainfall (123 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

66 Good

Comfort

16°
Feels Like Cool
16°C
Temperature
12° 21°
77%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

123 mm
Rainfall
3.0 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
1.1
UV Index
High
12.8h daylight

May

May is mild with highs of 26°C and lows of 17°C. Significant rainfall (155 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

67 Good

Comfort

21°
Feels Like Mild
21°C
Temperature
17° 26°
76%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

155 mm
Rainfall
2.9 m/s
Wind
Calm
1.3
UV Index
High
13.6h daylight

June

June is warm with highs of 28°C and lows of 21°C. The wettest month with heavy rain (189 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

65 Good

Comfort

25°
Feels Like Warm
25°C
Temperature
21° 29°
80%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

189 mm
Rainfall
2.8 m/s
Wind
Calm
1.2
UV Index
High
13.9h daylight

July

July is the hottest month, feeling like 34°C with oppressive humidity. Significant rainfall (130 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

63 Good

Comfort

34°
Feels Like Hot
29°C
Temperature
25° 33°
81%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

130 mm
Rainfall
2.6 m/s
Wind
Calm
1.7
UV Index
Very High
13.8h daylight

August

August is hot, feeling like 33°C with oppressive humidity. Significant rainfall (142 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

65 Good

Comfort

33°
Feels Like Hot
28°C
Temperature
24° 32°
81%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

142 mm
Rainfall
2.3 m/s
Wind
Calm
1.6
UV Index
Very High
13.1h daylight

September

September is mild with highs of 27°C and lows of 20°C. Significant rainfall (164 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

67 Good

Comfort

24°
Feels Like Mild
24°C
Temperature
20° 27°
80%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

164 mm
Rainfall
2.6 m/s
Wind
Calm
1.2
UV Index
High
12.2h daylight

October

October is mild with highs of 23°C and lows of 15°C. Moderate rainfall (70 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

77 Very Good

Comfort

19°
Feels Like Mild
19°C
Temperature
15° 23°
77%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

70 mm
Rainfall
2.2 m/s
Wind
Calm
0.9
UV Index
Moderate
11.3h daylight

November

November is cool with highs of 17°C and lows of 8°C. Moderate rainfall (54 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

69 Good

Comfort

13°
Feels Like Cool
13°C
Temperature
17°
78%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

54 mm
Rainfall
2.1 m/s
Wind
Calm
0.5
UV Index
Moderate
10.5h daylight

December

December is cold with highs of 11°C and lows of 3°C. Moderate rainfall (41 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

65 Good

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
11°
78%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

41 mm
Rainfall
2.1 m/s
Wind
Calm
0.4
UV Index
Low
10.1h daylight

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