The Mausoleum of Yu the Great, situated at the foot of Mount Kuaiji in the southeast of Shaoxing, is a part of the Mount Kuaiji scenic area. This is the final resting place of Yu the Great, who is renowned for spending eight years controlling the floods and famously passing by his home three times without entering. The essence of the Kuaiji Mountain scenic area lies in its Yu-themed ancient sites: Yu’s Tomb, Yu’s Temple, and Yu’s Memorial Temple, which are the main attractions despite the addition of the newly developed Hundred Birds Garden and the popular Xianglu Peak.
To visit the Mausoleum of Yu the Great, one must pass through two ticket checkpoints. After purchasing tickets, visitors head towards the archway of Yu’s Tomb and follow the sacred path to the Sacrificial Square of Yu. For those arriving by car, there is a designated parking lot from which they must proceed on foot. The square is a site of public sacrificial ceremonies for Yu the Great during the Qingming Festival. At one end of the square, a stone bridge leads to traditional Wupeng boats for touring the surrounding ancient villages, with an additional fee required.
Beyond the bridge, another ticket checkpoint, the Lingxing Gate, awaits. Upon entering, visitors are greeted by a stone ding, modeled after a bronze vessel, and a long corridor. The end of the corridor reveals the heart of the scenic area: the ‘Mausoleum of Yu the Great’ stele pavilion, a popular spot for photographs. Adjacent to the stele is Yu’s Temple, which now houses pictorial and textual materials about the legend of Yu’s flood control, and is open for visitors to explore.Upon exiting Yu’s Temple and passing by the stele pavilion, one encounters a winding corridor adorned with numerous steles. The Mausoleum of Yu the Great is home to a vast collection of inscriptions, with the majority concentrated in this area. Prominent among these is the towering ‘Kuaiji Inscription,’ a historical artifact dating back to the Qianlong period.
As the tour progresses through the Golden Osmanthus Forest, visitors arrive at Yu’s Memorial Temple. Legend has it that this temple was first constructed by Yu’s own son and has since experienced multiple cycles of destruction and reconstruction. The current structure, which harks back to the late Ming and early Qing dynasties, features an architectural layout that extends from south to north. This includes a screen wall, a stele, the Meridian Gate, a worship hall, and the main hall, all of which rise gradually with the natural terrain, exuding a sense of grandeur. After navigating through the Meridian Gate and ascending the hundred steps of the Forbidden Stairs, one arrives at the worship hall, which leads to Yu’s Hall. Inside the main hall, a statue of Yu the Great stands at the center, backdropped by nine axes, signifying his triumph in flood control and the division of the land into nine provinces. The hall is further decorated with couplets that extol his accomplishments and virtues, allowing visitors to sense the enduring remembrance of Yu the Great by future generations.
Exiting the main hall and turning right, one is directed to the Bi Shi Pavilion, another site of interest. The Bi Shi stone housed within the pavilion is considered one of the older cultural relics in the area, believed to be the tool employed in Yu’s burial rites. Ascending the stone steps from the north side of Yu’s Tomb, one reaches the base of a large sculpture of Yu the Great atop the mountain, from which a sweeping vista of Shaoxing City can be enjoyed.
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**Hiking the Mountain Path:**
The mountain path is a well-trodden stone staircase, but be aware that some parts are steep and physically demanding. It is advisable to prepare water and snacks before embarking on the hike. From the base of the mountain, you can see the statue of Yu the Great in the distance; you should head in that direction. Please note that ascending the mountain is typically not allowed after 16:00, so visitors should be mindful of the time.
**Visiting Yu’s Tomb and Hundred Birds Garden:**
From the exit of Yu’s Tomb, follow the signs to the left for about 5 minutes to reach the Hundred Birds Garden. If time permits, you can visit this garden.
**Operating Hours and Admission:**
Da Yu Ling is open to the public all year round from 08:00 to 17:00.
**Preferential Policies:**
– **Students:** Full-time undergraduate and below students can enjoy half-price admission during holidays and Golden Week with valid identification (free admission on non-holiday days).
– **Elderly:** Individuals aged 60 to 70 with valid ID or senior citizen card are eligible for half-price admission.
– **Minors:** Chinese citizens under 18 years old can enter for free with valid identification.
– **Free Admission:** Applies to active-duty military personnel, disabled veterans, martyrs’ families, families of soldiers who died in service, families of deceased soldiers, retired cadres, teachers in Zhejiang Province with over 30 years of teaching experience, disabled individuals, individuals aged 70 and above, returned overseas Chinese from Shaoxing City, and recipients of the Zhejiang Province Blood Donation Honor Certificate with valid identification.
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**Local Residents Admission Policy:**
Admission is free for local residents with a valid personal ID.
**Service Facilities:**
Service facilities within the park include transportation, with charges applied at a reference price.
**Additional Information:**
Please note that the information provided here is for reference only. For the most accurate and up-to-date details, refer to the information disclosed by the scenic area on the day of your visit.
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