Inscription for Aiwan Pavilion [1]
(September 1952)
Aiwan Pavilion
[1]
Aiwan Pavilion is located in Qingfeng Gorge at the foot of Yuelu Mountain. The pavilion faces east, surrounded by hills on three sides. Going out the back gate of Yuelu Academy and walking 200 meters along the stone path, you will reach Aiwan Pavilion. It was built in the 57th year of the Qianlong reign of the Qing Dynasty by Luo Dian, the head of Yuelu Academy. Originally named Hongye (Red Leaf) Pavilion, it was later renamed Aiwan Pavilion by Bi Wan, Governor-General of Huguang, based on the lines “I stop my carriage, loving the maple forest at dusk” from the poem “Mountain Travel” by the Tang Dynasty poet Du Mu. During his youth, while studying at the First Normal School, Mao Zedong often visited Yuelu Academy with Luo Xuehuang, Zhang Kundi, and others, and gathered with Cai Hesen beneath Aiwan Pavilion, freely discussing the current situation and seeking truth. For this reason, when Hunan University renovated Aiwan Pavilion in 1952, President Li Da wrote to Mao Zedong requesting that he inscribe the pavilion’s name. Mao gladly accepted the request. The plaque of today’s Aiwan Pavilion was made from Mao Zedong’s own handwriting.

The pavilion name inscribed by Mao Zedong for Aiwan Pavilion.