Yueyang Tower Overview & Map Weather Transportation Information
Towering above the west gate of Yueyang City, Yueyang Tower (Yueyang Lou) looks down at the Lake Dongtinghu, facing the Junshan Island in the distance, and linking the Yangtze River to the north and the Xiangjiang River to the south. Standing on the tower, one can gaze at the distant view of the mists and ripples of the Lake Dongtinghu, with boats sailing on the vast lake. It has long enjoyed the reputation of being the "first tower under heaven," as the Lake Dongtinghu is known as the "first water under heaven."
Have a look at Yueyang City
Yueyang City lies at the southern bank of the Yangtze River on the Beijing-Guangzhou railway and faces Lake Dongtinghu, one of China biggest fresh-water lakes, in the northeast of Hunan Province. With a long history, Yueyang is one of the famous ancient cultural cities of China.
Major tourist attractions include the Yueyang Tower, the Huishi Pagoda, and the Junshan Island in Lake Dongtinghu, where famous Silver Needle tea is produced. Yueyang is famous for its local special products, including Tortoise-snake Wine, paper folding fans, artistic porcelain wares, wood and bamboo wares, Baling wine, Tuanhu lotus seed and Yinzhen (Silver Needle) tea.
A little bit about the Tower's history
It is generally believed that the pavilion was built more than 1,700 years ago and was used by the military. It was not until the Tang Dynasty that it was named Yueyang Tower. Yueyang Tower was 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 - one of the most notable being the Song Dynasty politician and writer Fan Zhongyan, author of On Yueyang Tower (Yueyang Lou Ji).
Yueyang Tower & literature
Since ancient times, a lot of poets and writers have been here because of its striking scenery. Yueyang Tower (Yueyang Lou) is the major landmark of Yueyang City, comparable with Prince Teng Tower and Yellow Crane Tower. Similar with the other two, Yueyang Pavilion became famous for a famous poem too.
When rebuilt in 1045, Fan Zhongyan, one of the most notable being the Song Dynasty politician and writer, was invited to write a poem in memory of the event. In his poem, Fan described the beauty of the structure and indicated his concern about the country and people. The poem was applauded and won the pavilion great fame. A Qing Dynasty wooden screen inscribed with the poem is housed in the pavilion. The present complex was rebuilt in 1867.
Fabulous bird's view
You can get a bird's eye view of the lake when you get on the tower. That's really terrific when you standing on the tower, gazing at the distant view of the mists and ripples of the Lake Dongtinghu, with boats sailing on the vast lake. The tower has long enjoyed the reputation of being the "first tower under heaven," as the Lake Dongtinghu is known as the "first water under heaven."
Architectural treasure
The Yueyang Tower is an ancient architectural treasure. The timber-structured three-storied main building with a double-eaved roof is surrounded by a veranda on which is a carved bench of impressive workmanship. It is 15 meters (about 49 feet) high and is constructed entirely from wood without the use of any nails or beams.
Seen from a distance Yueyang Tower looks like a giant bird which is in flight. The red building with its glazed yellow roof tiles is a splendid and colorful sight. Couplets and carved screens are hung on the wall inside the building that provides visitors with information about the history of the pavilion.
Other attractions
Moving on, there is a platform (Dianjiang Tai) that once functioned as the training ground for the navy of Three-Kingdom period general Lusu. To the south is Huaifu Pavilion, built in memory of Dufu (712 - 770), a famous poet of the Tang Dynasty who died in the city. Stepping out of the Xiaoxiang Door, the Saint Plum Pavilion (Xianmei ting) and the Three Drunkards Pavilion (Sanzui ting) can be seen standing to either side. In the garden to the north of the tower is the tomb of Xiaoqiao, the wife of Zhouyu, another famous Three-Kingdom general.
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