The Yangzhou Eight Eccentrics Memorial Hall, an ideal destination for tourists who appreciate calligraphy and painting, is situated to the southeast of Slender West Lake. It is just across the street from the Siwang Pavilion and has been transformed from the Western Temple, where Jin Nong, one of the Yangzhou Eight Eccentrics, spent his later years.
The term “Yangzhou Eight Eccentrics” generally refers to a group of innovative painters from the Qing Dynasty in Yangzhou. This group is represented by notable figures such as Zheng Xie (Zheng Banqiao), famous for his bamboo paintings; Jin Nong, who had a bumpy life; and Luo Pin, known for his ghost paintings, among others. There is no consensus on the exact number of painters included in the “Eight Eccentrics,” with various records indicating at least fifteen individuals. Thus, the number ‘eight’ can be considered a numerical term or an approximate figure.
Upon entering the Yangzhou Eight Eccentrics Memorial Hall from the southern entrance, the first thing you see 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 with precious nanmu wood. The Mahavira Hall now serves as the main exhibition hall of the memorial hall. Be sure to look up and admire the beautiful color paintings on the beams, many of which are remnants from the Ming Dynasty.In the center stands a statue of the Yangzhou Eight Eccentrics, surrounded by exhibitions featuring their biographies and displayed calligraphy and paintings, although most of these are replicas.
Passing through the Mahavira Hall, there is a towering ancient ginkgo tree in the courtyard that is nearly 800 years old. Straight ahead is 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 occasionally hosts temporary exhibitions. Turning left leads to Jin Nong’s living quarters, which are restored based on his residence, with a living room in the center and a painting studio and bedroom on either side. At that time, the Western Temple had fallen into decay, and it is evident that Jin Nong’s living conditions were very modest. Heading east is the eastern garden area, 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 his 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 the Stele Corridor’ on the east side of the Mahavira Hall. If you look carefully in the stele corridor, you can find the famous calligraphy work by Zheng Banqiao, ‘Ignorance is Bliss.’ Walking 50 meters east along the alley outside the Yangzhou Eight Eccentrics Memorial Hall, there is a thousand-year-old Tang Locust tree protected by a fence, which is the setting of the ‘Dream of the Southern Branch’ from the Tang Dynasty’s ‘Biography of the Governor of Nanke.Visiting Hours and Preferential Policies at the Memorial Hall
**General Opening Hours:**
The memorial hall is open throughout the year from 08:30 AM to 17:00 PM. During the Mid-Autumn Festival and National Day, the hall extends its opening hours to 21:00 PM.
**Special Discounts and Free Admission:**
1. **Children:**
– Children under 6 years old (including 6 years old) with valid identification enter for free.
– Children under 1.4 meters in height can also enter the park for free.
– Minors aged between 6 years old (excluding 6 years old) and 18 years old (including 18 years old) can enjoy a half-price discount on tickets with valid certificates.
2. **Certificate Holders:**
– 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 the elderly 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 spot for free.
3. **Elderly Discount:**
– Elderly people aged 60-69 years old (including 60 years old and 69 years old) can enjoy a half-price discount with their ID cards (senior citizen cards).
Please note that these policies apply to the Slender West Lake, Daming Temple, Tang City Ruins, Han Guangling King’s Tomb Museum, and Yangzhou Eight Eccentrics Memorial Hall.**Summer Vacation Discounts at Yangzhou Eight Eccentrics Scenic Spot**
During the summer vacation, special discounts are available for educators and students. Teachers with a ‘Teacher Qualification Certificate’ and full-time undergraduate and below students with a student ID card can enjoy a half-price discount. Please note that this information is for reference only. For the most accurate and up-to-date details, please check the disclosures provided at the Yangzhou Eight Eccentrics scenic spot on the day of your visit.
**Service Facilities**
**Parking Lot:**
– **Location:** Yangzhou Eight Eccentrics Memorial Hall Parking Lot
– **Reference Price:** ¥10 per time
– **Address:** South gate of the Eight Eccentrics Memorial Hall
– **Parking Spaces:** 30 available
**Must-See Tips**
For those interested in experiencing the authentic calligraphy and paintings of the Yangzhou Eight Eccentrics, a visit to the Yangzhou Shuangbo Museum is highly recommended.
