Jiaxiu Tower

» Guiyang, Gui Zhou

Jiaxiu Tower Overview & Map Weather Transportation Information

Jiaxiu Tower is located on the Aoji Rock (the rock which looks like a huge turtle according to the legend) on the Nanming River, in the southern part of Guiyang city. This magnificent building has long been the landmark of Guiyang.

History of the Jiaxiu Tower

First built in the mid-16th century, it has been rebuilt several times, yet has still managed to retain its original features. During the Ming dynasty (1573 - 1620), the local majesty, Jiang Dongzhi, ordered to build a causeway at where the tower locates today, linking to the southern bank of the Nanming River. Later a pavilion was built to honor the first scholar of the time and hoped that would encourage more scholars to follow the example. Thus the tower was named "Jiaxiu tower," which means "First Scholar's Tower." In 1621, the original pavilion was burnt in a fire and the stadholder of the time made it rebuilt. In 1689, it was destroyed again, and then, Majesty Tianwen rebuilt it again. So far, the tower has been reconstructed six times. For 400 years, it has become the symbol of the city, witnessing the history as well as the future of the development of the Guiyang city.

Architectural feature

Jiaxiu Tower is a magnificent 3-level pavilion about 20 meters high with three carved eaves supported by a stone pillar and atop which is formed by diminishing size as four directions mount up. Its eaves turned up and white stone pillars are well carved and preserved. Located in water, connected by the Fuyu Bridge (Floating Bridge) at two banks, the tower has green tiles, red pillars, engraved windows and white stone parapets, which make it superb and striking.

The long couplet

Inside Jiaxiu Tower, there is a good collection of authentic works and paintings from ancient calligraphers. Of them, the most famous one is the couplet written by Liu Yushan in the Qing dynasty. This couplet consists of 206 words as a whole, with 87 words in the first and the second line respectively, which are 26 words more than the "Longest couplet" preserved in the Big Guan Tower in Kunming. This couplet is notable not only for its length, but also for its literature value. Its choice of words is so delicate and magnificent that it looks into not only the history of the tower but also the universal life of human being.

The charming night scene

Ascending the tower, you will get the best view of the surrounding scenery. The night scene of the tower is the most impressive. Colorfully decorated with lanterns, reflected in water, the tower looks so beautiful that people may feel as if they had been back to the ancient times.

Attractions around » Guiyang, Gui Zhou

Natural Scene

• Huangguoshu Waterfall
• Dragon Palace Scenic Area
• Lake Hongfenghu
• Tianhe Pool
• Xiaoqikong
• Huaxi Scenic Area
• Xiangzhi Valley
• Fanjing Mountain National Nature Reserve
• Feiyun Cliff
• Leigong Mountain Nature Reserve
• Maolan Karst Forest Natural Conservation

Historical Site

• Jiaxiu Tower
• Qingyan Ancient Town
• Zhenyuan Ancient Town
• Black Dragon Cave
• Hongfu Temple
• Longli Ancient Town
• Nine Dragon Cave Scenic Area
• Shiban Street
• Tunbao Cultural Village

Cultural Site

• Langde Miao Ethnic Minority Village
• Guiyang Forest Park
• Sanbao Dong Village
• Dong People's Village
• Tang'an Dong Village
• Wenfeng Park
• Nanhua Miao Village
• Datang Miao Village
• Basha Miao Village
• Qianling Park

Shopping & Leisure

• Kaili Sunday Market
• Shiban Street

Jiaxiu Tower Highlights

Tower & Pagoda in Great China

• Big Wild Goose Pagoda
• Oriental Pearl TV Tower
• Three Pagodas of Chongsheng Temple
• Drum Tower
• Bell Tower
• Yellow Crane Tower
• Jiaxiu Tower
• Iron Pagoda
• Liuhe Pagoda
• Tianfeng Pagoda
• Sugong Pagoda
• Wooden Pagoda
• Small Wild Goose Pagoda
• Nong'an Liao Tower
• Wanbu Huayanjing Pagoda
• Kaifeng Po Pagoda
• Yingying Pagoda
• Suojiang Tower

Jiaxiu Tower FAQ & Travelers's Tips

  Weather

1. When is the best time to travel to Guiyang?
2. Are there any travel tips about weather?

  Shopping

1. What good souvenirs can I buy there?

  Travel

1. Travel tips for you to Huangsuoshu Waterfall on best time

  Customs

1. What are some interesting festivals in Guiyang?
2. Does Guizhou have a lot of ethnic groups there?
3. Some customs about the Miaos

  Other Hints

1. Some warnings about hotels
2. Electricity

• Does Guiyang rain a lot?

  Guiyang has a pleasant moist subtropical climate with ample rainfall. It is neither hot in summer nor too chilly in winter. Guiyang is lucky as much as it does not suffer sandstorms and the pleasant climate makes it a cozy city in which to live.

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• Are there any travel tips about weather?

  Whether for escaping from summer heat or winter cold, Guiyang is definitely a good destination.

  However, due to the changeable weather on the Yungui Plateau where Guizhou is located, it is recommended that you take rain wear along with you and a folding umbrella is an asset! In addition, temperatures in the morning and the evening can often be rather low, so a windproof coat is necessary. The strong radiation from the sun means that you will also need our sun glasses and a sun hat - and don't forget your suntan lotion!

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• What good souvenirs can I buy there?

  Some special local products like traditional art works, or local food are decent gifts for you friends and relatives.

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• Travel tips for you to Huangsuoshu Waterfall on best time

  July and August is the best time to visit Huangguoshu Waterfall. During this period of time, there is a rich amount of water, making magnificent scenery. You can not appreciate such scenes during the lack-of-water period. An umbrella is suggested when you go to the waterfall, due to the giant size of the waterfall, you will be soaked wet without it.

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• What are some interesting festivals in Guiyang?

  Liu Yue Liu literarily means a date, June 6. Actually it is a festival held on the sixth day of the sixth Chinese lunar month, hence the name. This festival is an important day for Buyi people to worship the cook's god and the mountain god.

  Si Yue Ba is held annually on the eighth day of the lunar month. On this day, large numbers of Miao people put on their beautiful costumes and congregate in the center area of Guiyang City to celebrate this great festival by playing the Lusheng and flute, singing antiphonal songs and dancing.

  Di Xi is a form of local drama. It is held on the fifteenth day of the first lunar month at Huaxi by Buyi People and other minority groups. The performers put on masks and costumes and engage in dancing and singing. Generally the performance tells a story of a battle or the loyalty between friends of ancient times

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• Does Guizhou have a lot of ethnic groups there?

  Guizhou is a multi-region province. Apart from Han, there are about 17 other ethic groups that live here, such as Miao, Buyi, Dong, Yi, Shui, Hui, Zhuang, Yao, Man, Bai, Mongolia, Qiang and Tu.

  We suggest that you 'do as the romans do' when you go to visit Guizhou, because there are a lot of customs and taboos in the ethnic groups. Also respect their tradition to avoid conflict.

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• Some customs about the Miaos

  The Miaos usually keep open doors and are fond of drinking. Most of them can make home-made alcohol. Shaojiu is the most common alcohol. During a meal, the host might want his guest to drink some alcohol, if they refuse to drink, the host will not be happy. If you really can't drink, then please tell the host before the meal starts.

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• Some warnings about hotels

  Hotels in small towns such as Rongjiang and Congjiang are of significantly lower standard. Heating is sometimes not available and western style toilets usually unavailable.

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• Electricity

  The electricity used in China is 220 volt AC. Many middle and high-class hotel wash rooms have transformer plugs for electric shavers and hair dryers, but it is better to be prepared with an adapter plug.

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