Let's go hiking in Dayu Mausoleum, Shaoxing!
✨“The Yellow Emperor's Mausoleum is worshipped in the north, and the Dayu Mausoleum is worshipped in the south.”
·
⛰️Mount Kuaiji, with its beautiful scenery and picturesque landscapes, is not only the site of the timeless Orchid Pavilion Gathering but also the final resting place of Dayu, the founding ancestor of China and the hero of flood control in ancient times.
·
⛰️Located at the foot of Mount Kuaiji, southeast of Shaoxing City, Dayu Mausoleum consists of a tomb, a temple, and a memorial hall. The tomb is located on the upper level, while the temple and memorial hall are on the lower level. Built along the mountainside, the tomb faces west, exuding a magnificent aura. In addition, Dayu Mausoleum also features a bird park and the Dayu Memorial Hall.
·
⛰️The Dayu Mausoleum scenic area is quite large, and it takes a while to explore on foot. However, there are wupeng boats and sightseeing buses available. Tickets for both can be purchased at the visitor center.
·
📮Must-sees
·
1️⃣Winter-limited reeds
○Upon entering, you'll see a pond with wupeng boats, a symbol of Shaoxing, and winter-limited reeds. The golden reeds shimmer under the sunlight, swaying gently in the breeze like dancing musical notes. There are also remnants of lotus flowers in the pond, suggesting that the lotus blossoms in summer must be breathtaking.
·
2️⃣Sacred Way
○The Sacred Way, a system of paths leading to ancient emperors' tombs, is the only way to reach Yu Mausoleum. It embodies the reverence and commemoration of Dayu's achievements in flood control.
○At the entrance of the Sacred Way, a bronze "dragon bar" lies across the path. This is a symbol of the ancient imperial tomb system. Civil officials would dismount their palanquins here, and military officials would dismount their horses as a sign of respect for Dayu. "Hitching posts" are also set up on both sides for officials to tie their horses.
○Lush pine and cypress trees line both sides of the Sacred Way, along with twelve pairs of stone animal statues, including bixie, tianlu, longma, giant elephant, xiezhi, recumbent ox, stone tiger, yellow bear, three-legged turtle, nine-tailed fox, wild boar, and yinglong.
·
3️⃣Statue of Dayu (Mount Kuaiji)
○Climb the stone steps from the side of the Xiang Hall to the mountaintop, where a majestic statue of Dayu stands in solemn grandeur. The summit offers panoramic views of Shaoxing City.
PS: There are many steps, so comfortable shoes are recommended.
·
4️⃣Bird Park
○The Bird Park is shaded by dense trees and home to various birds. Swans swim leisurely in the water, guineafowls laze on the shore, and peacocks stroll around.
PS: The peacocks here look a bit like free-range chickens, haha.
·
5️⃣Dayu Memorial Hall
○The exhibits in the Dayu Memorial Hall introduce Dayu's great achievements and allow visitors to experience Dayu's culture.
·
🌈Practical information
·
○Scenic area opening hours: 8:00–17:00 (ticket sales stop at 16:30)
○Dayu Memorial Hall opening hours: Wednesday to Sunday 9:00–17:00, last entry at 16:30 (closed on Mondays and Tuesdays)
○Tickets: Full price: CNY 60