The Heptachord Terrace

Heptachord Terrace (Guqin Tai) to give it its Chinese name is located in the north of the Hanyang District of Wuhan City, Hubei Province. It is situated at the west of Tortoise Hill and on the bank of the Moon Lake.

The terrace is a reminder of the legend of Yu Boya, who was a famous official who lived in the Jin State during the spring and Autumn Period (770 B.C. - 476B.C.), and was an expert heptachord player.

The terrace was built in honor of the sincere friendship between Yu Boya and Zhong Ziqi during the Song Dynasty (960 - 1279) and later restored by a prefect living in Hubei Province during the early years of the Qing Dynasty (1644 - 1911).

Surrounded by water on three sides, the Heptachord Terrace is set among some very beautiful scenery. As well as the stone terrace, a hall named 'High Mountain and Flowing Water' stands on the site. Other recreational features around the Heptachord Terrace are a courtyard and a teahouse as well as an arboretum. At the entrance to the Heptachord Terrace, you are confronted by a colorful glaze-tiled hall over which the Chinese characters say 'Guqin Tai'. On the west of the veranda is the Heptachord Hall in front of which is a white marble terrace.