Yuewang Temple, Tangyin

Yuewang Temple in Tangyin County, Anyang, on Yuefei Temple Road in northern Henan province, is a memorial temple to the Song dynasty general Yue Fei, who was born in Tangyin in 1103. Yue Fei is one of the most celebrated patriotic heroes in Chinese history, remembered for leading Song forces against the Jurchen Jin invasions in the 12th century and for his execution on false charges, after which he was rehabilitated and honoured. The temple in his hometown is one of several shrines to him in China, and this one is notable for its birthplace connection. The complex is laid out as a series of courtyards and halls, with a memorial hall holding a statue of Yue Fei, a shrine to his family, corridors of stone stelae carrying inscriptions and poems, and a group of kneeling iron statues representing the officials blamed for his death. Visitors often see these figures as a focal point, and the site has a solemn tone. Stele corridors hold calligraphy, including copies of writings attributed to Yue Fei, and the courtyards contain old trees and carved stone. A visit takes one and a half to two hours. Mornings are quiet, and school groups and tour parties can arrive later in the day. Photography is generally allowed outdoors and restricted in some halls. Signage is mostly in Chinese, so background reading on Yue Fei helps. The temple pairs well with the Yin Ruins on a day trip from Zhengzhou through Anyang. The train from Anyang to Tangyin station takes about 30 minutes, followed by a Didi at around ¥15. The site suits visitors with an interest in Chinese history, literature and patriotic tradition, and it is much less crowded than the major tourist sites in the province.