Yueyang Tower
Yueyang Tower, also called "Yueyang Pavilion", is situated at the western gate of Yueyang Ancient City, Hunan Province, overlooking Lake Dongting from its perch on the eastern shore of the lake. And it is the central attraction in Yueyang City, given its cultural history and its fame as one of the three famous towers of Southern China, the other two being Yellow Crane Tower in Wuchang, Hubei Province and Prince Teng Pavillion in Nanching, Jiangxi Province. Yueyang Tower, built by the Eastern Wu military advisor Lu Su as a parade stand from which to observe the periodic review of the naval ships conducting maneuvers on Lake Dongting, was originally named Southern Pavilion. During the Tang Dynasty (CE 618-907), the tower was rebuilt by the then governor of Yueyang, Zhang Shuo, who had held a higher office at the Tang court but was demoted and banished to Yueyang to serve as governor there. It was at this time that the tower was renamed to Yueyang Pavilion.
During the Song (CE 960-1279) Dynasty, the governor of Yueyang, Teng Zijing, invited a friend and former chancellor Fan Zhongyan to write an essay honoring the tower. The result was the famous "Memorial to Yueyang Pavilion", the most famous line of which was the admonition to those fighting for social justice to "be the first to show concern about the nation's problems, the last to rejoice when those problems are declared resolved" (or the last to declare "mission accomplished", if you will – go here to learn more about Yueyang Pavilion).
Yueyang Tower stands close to Dongting Lake, facing Junshan Isle with the city behind. The main tower, 19 meters high, is a three-story structure supported by four pillars and made of pure wood and upturned eaves. Especially noteworthy is the tower top which resembles a helmet used by warriors in ancient times, a real rarity in the history of ancient Chinese architecture. The structure is a unique combination of artistic tastes, mechanics, architecture, and craftsmanship. The Tower affords a spectacular view of Dongting Lake.
Travel Tips
Address: on the west city wall in Yueyang City,Hunan Province
Admission: CNY80
Opening Hours:8:00-16:00
Tel: 0730-8311676
During the Song (CE 960-1279) Dynasty, the governor of Yueyang, Teng Zijing, invited a friend and former chancellor Fan Zhongyan to write an essay honoring the tower. The result was the famous "Memorial to Yueyang Pavilion", the most famous line of which was the admonition to those fighting for social justice to "be the first to show concern about the nation's problems, the last to rejoice when those problems are declared resolved" (or the last to declare "mission accomplished", if you will – go here to learn more about Yueyang Pavilion).
Yueyang Tower stands close to Dongting Lake, facing Junshan Isle with the city behind. The main tower, 19 meters high, is a three-story structure supported by four pillars and made of pure wood and upturned eaves. Especially noteworthy is the tower top which resembles a helmet used by warriors in ancient times, a real rarity in the history of ancient Chinese architecture. The structure is a unique combination of artistic tastes, mechanics, architecture, and craftsmanship. The Tower affords a spectacular view of Dongting Lake.
Travel Tips
Address: on the west city wall in Yueyang City,Hunan Province
Admission: CNY80
Opening Hours:8:00-16:00
Tel: 0730-8311676
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