Yueyang Tower is known as one of the Three Famous Towers in China. Located near the lakeside of Dongting in Yueyang City, Hunan Province, Yueyang Tower is a majestic red building with yellow glazed roof tiles. The other two are Yellow Crane Tower in Wuhan and Tengwang Tower in Jiangxi
Climbing up to the top of the tower, visitors may enjoy a great bird’s sight of the mists and ripples of the Lake Dongtinghu, with boats sailing on the vast lake. In addition to the splendid view, the tower also features its rich history and culture. It was announced a national scenic resort and historic site in 1988.
History
It is generally believed that Yueyang Tower was built more than 1,700 years ago during the Three Kingdoms Period, when Lu Su, commander in chief of the forces of Wu, was sent to Yueyang to fortify the area and train the fleet. He constructed a tower near the strategic location where Dongting Lake joins the Yangtze River, from which the whole of Dongting was visible.
It was not until the Tang Dynasty that it was named Yueyang Tower. The tower was then damaged in the chaos of various wars and was rebuilt in the Song Dynasty. Since then, it has become a famous landmark and a place of inspiration for both poets and writers.
Architectural design
The beautiful Yueyang Tower has been recognized as an architectural masterpiece of ancient China. The tower is a three storey, rectangular architecture which reaches 15 meters (about 49 feet) high and is constructed entirely from wood. Surprisingly, no nails or beams have been used in its construction. Wood pillars have been included in the construction to ensure the strength of the building. The roof of the Yueyang Tower was designed with unusual curved lines which are similar to the shape of a helmet used by a knight of ancient times.
Literary significance
Yueyang Tower was made very famous during the Northern Song Dynasty by the literary work “Memorial to Yueyang Tower”. It was written by renowned Song poet Fan Zhongyan at the invitation of his friend Teng Zijing, who afterwards became the local governor and rebuilt the tower.
In his work, Fan described the beauty of Yueyang Tower and indicated his concern about the country and people. Now, a Qing Dynasty wooden screen inscribed with the work is housed in the tower, which becomes a must-see for visitors here.