Yue Fei Temple Temple

Address: Yue Fei Temple, Xi Hu (West Lake) North Shore, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China

Hours: Typically 8:00am-5:00pm (local variations possible)

Admission: Free or a nominal local fee for access to the West Lake precinct (varies by season and local management)

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.

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.

• 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.