The Yangzhou Eight Eccentrics Memorial Hall is located to the southeast of Slender West Lake, just across from the Siwang Pavilion, and was transformed from the Western Temple where one of the Yangzhou Eight Eccentrics, Jin Nong, lived in his later years. Here, you can learn about the lives and works of the Yangzhou Eight Eccentrics, making it an ideal spot for tourists interested in calligraphy, painting, and cultural attractions.
The term ‘Yangzhou Eight Eccentrics’ broadly refers to a group of innovative painters from Qing Dynasty Yangzhou, represented by figures such as Zheng Xie, known for his bamboo paintings (Zheng Banqiao), Jin Nong, who had a difficult life, and Luo Pin, known for his ghost paintings. The exact eight painters are not uniformly agreed upon, with various records listing at least fifteen individuals, thus the number ‘eight’ can be seen as either a specific count or an approximation.The main structure of the Yangzhou Eight Eccentrics Memorial Hall runs north to south, with the entrance at the southern end. Upon entering, the first sight is a large iron cauldron in the center of the lawn, which has a history of over 1500 years. Following this is the Mahavira Hall of the Ming Dynasty’s Western Temple, constructed from precious Phoebe wood. The Mahavira Hall now serves as the main exhibition hall of the memorial hall; be sure to look up to admire the beautiful color paintings on the beams, many of which are from the Ming Dynasty. In the center stands a statue of the Yangzhou Eight Eccentrics, surrounded by displays and texts about their lives, and exhibitions of their calligraphy and paintings, although most are replicas.
Passing through the Mahavira Hall, the courtyard at the back features an ancient ginkgo tree nearly 800 years old. Straight ahead lies the Li Ya Ru Calligraphy and Painting Exhibition Hall, which usually displays the works of Li Ya Ru, a successor of the Eight Eccentrics, and sometimes hosts temporary exhibitions. Turning left leads to Jin Nong’s living quarters, restored based on his original residence, with a living room in the center and studios and a bedroom on either side. At the time, the Western Temple had fallen into decline, and it is evident that Jin Nong’s living conditions were very modest.
Heading east is the Eastern Garden section, adorned with rockeries and designed in the style of a Jiangnan garden. You can visit the pond named ‘Crane Pond Peeking at Ice’, named after Jin Nong’s poem expressing noble aspirations, ‘Crane on the Pond Peeking at Ice’. Heading south, you can visit the Bamboo Spring Pavilion and the well used by Jin Nong for water, the Five Dynasties stupa, and finally return to the ‘Essence of Inscriptions’ on the east side of the Mahavira Hall.
Preferential policies supplement: 1. Slender West Lake, Daming Temple, Tang City Ruins, Han Guangling King Tomb Museum, Yangzhou Eight Eccentrics Memorial Hall:
1. Free admission for children under 4 meters (including 1.4 meters). Half-price tickets with valid certificates are available for minors aged 6 years (excluding 6 years old) to 18 years old (including 18 years old). 2. Holders of ‘Disability Certificate’, ‘Active Military Certificate’ (including armed police), ‘Honorary Certificate for Retired Cadres’, ‘Preferential Treatment Certificate for Veteran Cadres’, ‘Preferential Treatment Certificate for the Elderly’, ‘Preferential Treatment Certificate for Parks’, ‘Military Wife Certificate’ in Yangzhou City, retired military cadres and people aged over 70 years old (including 70 years old) with valid identity documents, disabled soldiers, ‘Moral Model Certificate’, ‘Model Hero Certificate’, ‘Press Card’ (issued by the State Press and Publication Administration), and those with a valid ‘Yangzhou Tourism Scenic Spot (Point) Annual Card’ can visit the scenic area for free. 3. Elderly people aged 60-69 years old (including 60 years old and 69 years old) can enjoy half-price discounts with their ID cards (senior citizen cards). Teachers during summer vacation can enjoy half-price discounts with their ‘Teacher Qualification Certificates’. Full-time undergraduate students and below with student ID cards can enjoy half-price discounts. 2. The above information is for reference only. The specific information should be subject to the disclosure on the day at the Yangzhou Eight Eccentrics scenic area. Service facilities Parking lot: [Yangzhou Eight Eccentrics Memorial Hall Parking Lot]. Reference price: ¥10/time. Address: South gate of the Eight Eccentrics Memorial Hall. Parking spaces: 30. Must-see tips: If you want to see the authentic calligraphy and paintings of the Yangzhou Eight Eccentrics, you can go to Yangzhou Shuangbo Museum.
