Yueyang Overview & Map Weather Transportation Information
Towering above the west gate of Yueyang City, Yueyang Tower (Yueyang Lou) is the major landmark of the city and it is listed as one of the three famous towers south of the Yangtze River, together with Yellow Crane Tower at Wuhan and Tengwang Tower in Nanchang.
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 (960-1127). 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.
The Yueyang Tower is an ancient architectural treasure. 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 provide visitors with information about the history of the pavilion. A famous couplet reads "Dongting is the water of the world; Yueyang is the tower of the world".
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 (712-770AD), 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.
Natural Scene
Cultural Site
Yueyang Highlights
Yueyang FAQ & Travelers's Tips
