Guqin Tai 古琴台

About Guqin Tai

Its setting between Turtle Hill and Moon Lake gives the musical tradition a quiet landscape context. The memorial has been rebuilt repeatedly since its early establishment, so the visit is about a continuing cultural memory rather than an untouched ancient performance stage. Look at the commemorative compound, then step out towards the lake to understand why the story remains associated with this part of Hanyang.

Guqin Tai, also known as Boya Tai, stands on the west side of Turtle Hill (龟山) and the south side of Moon Lake (月湖) in Hanyang, Wuhan. It was built in the Northern Song dynasty, was repeatedly damaged over the centuries, and was rebuilt in the early Jiaqing era (嘉庆); it is a Hubei provincial cultural heritage site (湖北省文物保护单位).

The compound covers about 15 mu (亩) and, besides its main hall, includes a courtyard, a garden, flower beds and a tea room; though not large, it is compactly and clearly laid out. In front of the hall stands the qin platform itself, a square platform of white marble about 20 square meters, which, according to local tradition, is where Boya played the qin.

What to look for

• The memorial setting devoted to Boya and Zhong Ziqi.
• The relationship between the compound, Turtle Hill and Moon Lake.

Location & getting there

Getting to Guqin Tai

Use the Guqin Tai memorial by Moon Lake in Hanyang. Qintai station on Metro Line 6 serves the area; distinguish the historic memorial from the separate modern Qintai concert-hall complex.