Guangjimen Gate Tower in Chaozhou
The Guangji Gate Tower (广济门城楼), also known as Dongmen Tower (东门楼), is located on Dongmen Street (东门街) in the Xiangqiao District (湘桥区) of Chaozhou (潮州), Guangdong Province, China. This iconic tower is located directly opposite the Guangji Bridge (广济桥), serving as one of the most significant historical structures in the area. It is the leading gate tower among the seven city gates of the ancient Chaozhou City.
History and Construction
The Guangji Gate Tower was built in the third year of the Hongwu era (洪武三年) during the Ming Dynasty (1370 AD). This grand structure has a history spanning over 600 years. It is known for its magnificent design, which is comparable to the Zhenhai Tower (镇海楼) located in Yuexiu Mountain (越秀山) of Guangzhou (广州). The tower is three stories tall, with a width of five bays on each floor. The base of the structure includes archways that allow passage between the inner and outer parts of the city.
The tower is built in a palace-style architectural design with a heavy overhanging roof and is finished with red-tiled glass tiles, painted red columns, and elaborate wooden windows. The overall appearance is imposing and splendid, demonstrating its role as both a military and symbolic landmark.
Structure
The Guangji Gate Tower is designed as a three-story building, with an overall height of 18.85 meters. The structure features a palatial style with double-layered roof tiles, and the eaves on each floor are adorned with blue-glazed ceramic water drops. The tower’s grandeur is enhanced by its sculptured railings, painted beams, and a myriad of windows surrounding the tower.
Cultural Significance
The Guangji Gate Tower stands as a significant symbol of Chaozhou’s history and culture. It is particularly known for the famous couplet on the tower:
“万峰当户立，一水接天来” (“Mountains rise before the door, and a river meets the sky.”)
The tower offers panoramic views of the Han River (韩江) and the surrounding landscapes, including the Long Bridge (长桥) that crosses the river. Visitors can also enjoy breathtaking views of the mountain ranges in the distance. The couplet exemplifies the poetic nature of the region, and the landscape from the tower is often regarded as one of the most beautiful scenes in Chaozhou.
During spring, visitors can see the Han River swelling, the long bridge spanning the river with boats floating by, and the misty mountains, all contributing to the tranquil and picturesque scene.
Renovation and Protection
In recent years, the Chaozhou Municipal Government (潮州市政府) has undertaken extensive renovations on the Guangji Gate Tower to restore its appearance to what it was before the restoration work done in 1931. The goal is to return the structure to its original grandeur based on historical records such as the Chaozhou Ancient City Map (潮州古城图) and other relevant documents from the Qing Dynasty.
The renovation includes restoring the three-story building with traditional stone and wood structure, replacing cement pillars with stone columns, and retaining the architectural style of the Ming Dynasty. This will ensure the tower’s preservation while maintaining its cultural and historical integrity. The work is expected to be completed in early January 2004, after which the tower will again stand as the most impressive and majestic landmark of Chaozhou.
Architectural Features
The Guangji Gate Tower is built on a massive platform. The first floor of the tower has an area of 31.5 meters in width and 19.55 meters in depth, while the second floor measures 27.9 meters in width and 15.4 meters in depth. The third floor is 25.8 meters wide and 11.7 meters deep. On the third floor, there is a large copper bell cast in the Southern Song Dynasty (南宋), dating back to the fourth year of the Shaoxing era (绍兴四年) (1134 AD). Originally placed in the Mawang Temple (马王庙), it was later moved to the tower when the temple was abandoned.
The tower has couplets and plaques on all floors, including one written by Liu Bingsen (刘炳森) that reads “岭东首邑” (“The First City of East Guangdong”). On the second floor, a plaque by Rao Zongyi (饶宗颐) reads “东为万春” (“East for Everlasting Spring”), and the third floor has a plaque inscribed by Xiao Xian (肖娴) that reads “广济楼” (“Guangji Tower”).
Surrounding Area and Transport
Scenic Spots Nearby
Phoenix Mountain (凤凰山), a famous tea-producing region, is located nearby. The mountain boasts over 11,000 acres of tea plantations. The Phoenix Tea (凤凰茶) from this region, especially Phoenix Tea’s Xiangcao variety, has been renowned for over 900 years, and it is one of the best teas in China.
The Guangji Bridge (广济桥), also known as Xiangzi Bridge (湘子桥), spans 518 meters across the Han River. It is a key landmark linking the eastern and western parts of Chaozhou, with beautiful views of Jinshan Mountain (金山), Fenghuang Island (凤凰洲), and the surrounding rivers.
The E-Du Qiu Feng Pavilion (鳄渡秋凤亭), located on the northern bank of the Han River, near the E-Du Crossing (鳄渡), is famous for its historical association with crocodiles that once plagued the region.
Access and Transportation
To reach the Guangji Gate Tower, you can take public buses 101, 102, 103, 105, 108, 109, 110, 112, 113, K2 Express, K4 Express, or High-Speed Train K1 Express, stopping at the Nanqiao Market Station (南桥市场站), and then walk for about 5 minutes toward the Hanjiang Bridge (韩江大桥) and turn left for a further 5 minutes to reach the tower. Along the way, visitors can enjoy the beautiful views of the Han River.
Additionally, there are buses from all over Guangdong Province to Chaozhou, including a direct highway from Guangzhou (广州) that takes about 5 hours.
Tickets and Admission
- Entrance Fee: 10 RMB per person.
Nearby Attractions
- Phoenix Mountain Scenic Area (凤凰山景区): Known for its tea gardens and beautiful mountain views.
- Guangji Bridge (广济桥): A landmark bridge that connects the east and west sides of the city.
- E-Du Qiu Feng Pavilion (鳄渡秋凤亭): A historical site related to the local legends of crocodiles and river crossings.
