Among the four famous pavilions in China, the one located in Yuelu Mountain, Changsha City, Hunan Province is the Aiwan Pavilion.
Aiwan Pavilion is located in Qingfeng Gorge at the foot of Yuelu Mountain in Changsha, Hunan Province, on the hill behind Qingfeng Gorge behind Yuelu Academy. It was first built in 1792. It is a square pavilion with double eaves and eight pillars. The top is covered with green glazed tiles and has a pointed roof. The inner pillars are red wooden pillars, the outer pillars are granite square pillars, and the ceiling is painted with a caisson. It is spectacular. Aiwan Pavilion is surrounded by mountains on three sides, and is open to the east. It is more than ten feet in length and width, covered with purple green and green onions, and has constant flowing springs. There is a pond in front of the pavilion with rows of peach and willow trees. Surrounded by maple trees, it is green in spring, cool in summer, and has red maple leaves in late autumn.
Origin of the name
Aiwan Pavilion was built by the mountain chief Luo Dian in the 57th year of Qianlong reign of the Qing Dynasty (AD 1792). The original name is "Red Leaf Pavilion", also known as "Ai Maple Pavilion". Later, at the suggestion of Qing Dynasty poet Yuan Mei, Huguang Governor Bi Yuan changed the name to Aiwan Pavilion based on "Mountain Journey" by Tang Dynasty poet Du Mu, taking the poetic meaning of "stop and sit in love with the maple forest at night, the frost leaves are as red as the February flowers".