Youdu | |||||||||||||||||||||
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![]() An assistant to the Judge of Hell, figure from a judgement group, Ming dynasty. | |||||||||||||||||||||
Chinese | 幽都 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Literal meaning | dark capital | ||||||||||||||||||||
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Youdu (Chinese: 幽都; pinyin: yōudū) in Chinese mythology is the capital of Hell, or Diyu. Among the various other geographic features believed of Diyu, the capital city has been thought to be named Youdu. It is generally conceived as being similar to a typical Chinese capital city, such as Chang'an, but surrounded with and pervaded with darkness.