Yu Qian (1398 - 1457), a famous loyal official, was born in Qiantang (present Hangzhou) of Zhejiang Province in the Ming Dynasty.

In 1449, Zhu Qizhen, Emperor Yingzong of the Ming Dynasty, was captured because of Tumu Crisis, and the capital was in chaos. Under the circumstance, Yu Qian, commander of Ministry of War, supported Emperor Yingzong's brother Zhu Qiyu to take the throne. He led soldiers and civilians to resist enemy, and succeeded in safeguarding Beijing. In 1457, Emperor Yingzong of Ming restored to the throne and Yu Qian was framed up and killed. Seven years later, he was granted innocence and his remains were sent back to his hometown and buried there.

Yu Qian was an honest and incorruptible person. During his tenure as an official, he dared to plead for the people, promoted what was beneficial and abolished what was harmful to the people. Yu Qian, Yue Fei and Zhang Cangshui were collectively called "Three Heroes of the West Lake". They were all great national heroes.