The Aiwan Pavilion

The Aiwan Pavilion, located within Qingfeng Gorge on Yuelu Mountain, was originally built in 1792, the 57th year of Emperor Qianlong’s reign during the Qing Dynasty, and is renowned as one of China's Four Great Classical Pavilions. Initially named Hongye Pavilion(Red Leaf Pavilion), it received its poetic designation from Hu-GuangGovernor Bi Yuan (1730-1797),inspired by Du Mu's verse in "MountainWalk" : “l pause my carriage, enchanted by maple woods aflame; Frost-touched leaves outshine spring's blossoms in their fiery frame." In the1920s, young Mao Zedong frequently visited the pavilion with intellectualpeers like Cai Hesen.In 1952, at the request of Li Dazhi, then-president ofHunan University, Mao calligraphed the plaque for the Aiwan Pavilion.Today, it is recognized as a National Key Cultural Heritage Site.

Source: Changsha Library