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Heptachord Terrace (Guqin Tai)

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  • Heptachord Terrace
    Heptachord Terrace
  • Landscape around Heptachord Terrace
    Landscape around Heptachord Terrace
  • Entry of Heptachord Terrace
    Entry of Heptachord Terrace
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The Heptachord Terrace in Wuhan City is a famous relic in the history of Chinese musical culture, which is under the provincial protection of the Hubei Province. The Heptachard Terrace was built to commemorate a couple of friends in ancient China, namely, Yu Boya and Zhong Ziqi, who love music and by which they became bosom friends. Stories telling about their encounter and other experiences passed down from generation to generation. The Chinese term 'Zhi Yin', meaning bosom friends, originated from the two music lovers.

Located at the foot of the Guishan Mountain with the Yue Lake (Moon Lake) at its south, the Heptachord Terrace is also called 'Boya Terrace' with 'Boya' from the name of Yu Boya. Recorded history tells the story of them during the Spring and Autumn Period (770 - 476 BC).

Yu Boya, an official of the Jin Kingdom, was versed in playing heptachord. Once on the way back home after an official mission, Yu was touched by the beautiful scenery on the way and started to play heptchord in his boat, expressing his aspirations and ambitions. It was all of a sudden when a string broke that he realized someone was listening nearby. He came out of the boat and found an axman standing still nearby. Yu invited the man in and had a good exchange of views about music. And Yu found that the man knew so well the implications and meaning of every musical piece he played. This axman was Zhong Ziqi. The music drew them so close and they became 'Zhi Yin', meaning bosom friends.

A year later, Yu revisited the old haunt but found that Zhong had passed away. In extreme grief, Yu replayed the melodies beside Zhong's tomb. Realizing that he would never met another friend like Zhong, Yu Boya sorrowfully cut the stings and broke the hetachord on a stone.

The later generation was so touched by their deeds that the Hetachord Terrace was built to commemorate them. Covering an area of about one hectare (2.5 acres), the Hetachord Terrace includes a courtyard, flower beds, and teahouse, which is exquisitely designed. Inscriptions, stone steles, statues of Yu playing the hetachord can be found at the Terrace.

 Entrance Fee: CNY 15 for adults
CNY 8 for kids over 1.2 m and students
Free for kids under 1.2 m

 Opening Hours: 08:00 - 17:00

 Transportation: Take Bus No. 1, 4, 5, 7, 10, 24, 26, 42,  58, 64, 402, 411, 503, 507, 517, 519, 522, 524, 536, 542, 558, 571, 579, 584, 585, 590, 596, 598, 608, 609, 701, 703, 704, 705, 706, 707, 715, 726, 727, 806 or 905 and get off at Guqintai stop

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