Pavilion of Ancient Lute

Standing at the west foot of Gui Shan (Tortoise Hill) in Hanyang, this tourist spot, 古琴台 in Chinese, has Yue Hu (Moon Lake) to the north and Meizi Shan (Plum Hill) to the west. It was built as early as the fifth century to commemorate the profound friendship sealed between two great musicians, Yu Boya and Zhong Ziqi. Hence its other name, Boya Pavilion. The place is said to be where Yu Boya played his lute to the full appreciation of Zhong Ziqi. The present pavilion was reconstructed in 1957. Incidentally, this site is otherwise known as Suiqin Tai (Smashed-Lute Pavilion) where, as legend goes, the saddened Yu Boya broke his lute after the death of his friend who alone could appreciate what he played.