Name: Yueyang Standard: 14 Persons Hue: Silvery
Target Customers: conferences, banquets, high-end business talks, business travelers and family parties
Unique Local Culture:
Yueyang is the only waterside city in Hunan. Located in the area of one lake (the Dongting Lake), two plains (Jianghan Plain and Dongting Lake Plain), three provinces (Hunan, Hubei and Jiangxi), four rivers (Xiangjiang, Zijiang, Ruanshui and Lishui) and five routes (Beijing-Guangzhou Railway, Wuhan-Guangzhou High-Speed Railway, Beijing-Zhuhai Expressway, National Highway 107 and the Yangtze River), it is another “gold cross” next to Wuhan in the middle reach of the Yangtze River. It also owns Chenglingji Port—the only direct-route port of Hunan and is thus crowned as a “leading city”.
Famous local products include: Beigang Maojian Tea, Dongtingchun Tea, Junshan Yinzhen Tea, Yuezhou Fan, Baling Wine, Yueyang Whitebait, Junshan Tortoise, Dongting Fish Maw, Hunan Candy Lotus and so on.
Tower Known for Ages—Yueyang Tower (since ancient times, there has been the saying that “the Dongting Lake has the best water under heaven and Yueyang the best tower”) together with Tengwang Pavilion in Nanchang, Jiangxi and Yellow Crane Tower in Wuhan, Hubei are known as three famous towers in the south of the Yangtze River.
The masterpiece On Yueyang Tower written by Fan Zhongyan, a statesman and writer of the Song Dynasty, has made Yueyang Tower even more renowned. Particularly, with his mind of “being not affected by this external world or affected by one’s own gains or losses”, he uttered the philosophical saying of “being the first to worry about the state and the last to enjoy comforts”, which has become a symbol of lofty spiritual realm. The characters “Yueyang Tower” on the inscribed board were personally written by Guo Moruo.
Former Residence of Ren Bishi—The characters on the inscribed board were personally written by Deng Xiaoping.
The Yueyang Tower is a record written for rebuilding Yueyang Tower. It was written by Fan Zhongyan upon the invitation of his good friend Teng Zijing, the Chief of Baling Prefecture, on September 15 of the sixth year of Qingli of the Northern Song Dynasty (1046). The verses thereof such as “being the first to worry about the state and the last to enjoy comforts” and “being not affected by this external world or affected by one’s own gains or losses” are well-known and frequently quoted. The Yueyang Tower has become a masterpiece handed down for centuries not because of its description of the scenery around Yueyang Tower, but because of the feelings of grieving first and enjoying afterwards and of worrying about the state and the people that Fan Zhongyan expressed by virtue of this essay.
The YueYang Tower----By Fan Zhongyan
In the spring of fourth year of Qingli, TengZijing was exiled to Balingjun, to be the profect there. In the second year of his office, because of his excellent administration, people lived in peace and contentment, and all previous neglected matters were taken care of. The Yueyang tower was renovated and enlarged, and described on its walls were the poetries and rhymed prose of Tang and present dynasty. I was invented to record this restoration effect in writing.
The beauty of Baling center round the Dongting Lake, which holds the mountain ranges in the distance and swallows the water of the Yangtze River. It so vast and mighty that it seems boundless. Dazzling in the morning sun and fading in the grew evening mist, it offers a myriad scenes, this is the magnificent view of Yueyang tower commanded. Of which many descriptions have been written. The beauty scenic spot is linked with the Wu gorge in the north and Xiao and Xiang Rivers in the south. Exiled officials and poets often gather here, how could there be no difference in their feelings?
In the rainy season, an unbroken wet weather lasts for months. Chilly wind howl and turbid waves surge the sky high. The sun and stars lose their luster, and the mountain ranges scarcely visible. The merchant and travelers have to put off their voyage.. for the masts of ships have collapsed and the oars broken.. It is dark towards evening mist, and the roaring of tigers and the cry of monkeys can be heard. At such a time anyone ascending the tow will be filled with nostalgia for the imperial court and his hometown as well as fears of calumny and derision against him. Around him is a scene of desolation. Emotions well up him so strongly that he feels pain at heart.
In springtime it is warm and the sun is bright, the lake is tranquil and it merges with the azure sky into a vast expanse of blue. The water-birds are playing, some fluttering in the sky, some gathering together on the sandbars. Fishes of varies hues swimming merrily in the water. Sweet-smell grass by the banks and the faint scented orchid on the sandy beaches are rush and green. Sometimes when the mist over the lake vanishes. The glorious moon shines over the vast land. Its brightness glistening with golden light on the lake. The reflection of the moon is like a piece of jade in the depth of the water. On ascending the tower at such a time, one will feel a spiritual uplift, neither glory nor shame. With a cup of wine in the gentle breeze, he will enjoy the greatest happiness in life.
Ah! I have tried to study the minds of lofty ideals in ancient times. Perhaps they were different from the people I motion above. Why is this? The reason is that they were not thrown into ecstasies over their success, nor felt depressed over their failures. When they were in high position at court, they concerned about the people, when they were in remote place, they concerned about their emperor. They worried when then got promoted or when they were sent into exile. Then, when they were happy? they would say:”To be the first to worry about the affairs of the state and the last to enjoy oneself!” Oh, who else should I seek company with save them.
Culture of This Private Room:
1.Crystal Wall Decoration. Creative Idea: Yueyang Dragon Boat Culture.
Decorative Item on Yuezhou Fan-Shaped Shelf. Creative Idea: Yuezhou Fan of Yueyang is the famous traditional artwork.
2.Wall Decoration with Silk Scroll Calligraphy. Creative Idea: The Yueyang Tower by Fan Zhongyan.
