The Best Ancient Tower Buildings of China
Ancient Tower Buildings of China
Buddhist stupas arrived during the first zenith in the history of ancient Chinese architecture when the aesthetic and technical levels of the construction trade were fairly advanced. The alien structures were quickly synthesized with local architectural know-how and traditions, bringing about new and locally adapted tower forms that were inherently Chinese in design. The earliest Chinese towers resembled pavilions and storied houses. Some other forms developed later, among them the gate and pedestrian towers. The gate tower served as an entrance to an enclosed compound, while the pedestrian tower was erected at a traffic juncture. Both had an opening at the ground level to allow pedestrians and other traffic to pass.
Some Chinese towers combined two or more different architectural forms. For example, the two Ming (1368-1644) copper towers in the Xiantong Temple on Wutai Mountain in Shanxi Province employed various architectural elements, becoming towers that were also storied buildings and pavilions. Chinese adaptations also included distinct architectural features used by the nation’s ethnic groups, such as outer surfaces painstakingly carved with exquisite ornamentation.
The North Stupa in Beijing’s Yunju Temple also combines a range of tastes. Built-in the Khitan-ruled Liao Dynasty (916-1125), its brick-and-tile structure stands over 30 meters tall. Miniature stone stupa dating from the Tang Dynasty (618-907) guard each of its four corners. In ancient China, temples and Buddhist towers were top-level civil engineering projects, many of them undertaken by the imperial court at high cost. A number of the commissioned towers were even conferred with imperial status. As such, these buildings usually represent the best architecture of their time. It seems no comprehensive catalogue of ancient towers built over the past 2,000 years has ever been compiled. However, some statistical sources claim that the existing ancient towers exceed 3,000. The oldest is a 40-meter-tall brick tower in the Songyue Temple on Mount Song in Henan Province, built in 509 during the Yongping Reign of the Northern Wei Dynasty (386-534).
Ancient towers can be found all over China. Even towers of the same style can have different characteristics, varying from region to region and from era to era. Most are built of common construction materials such as wood, stone, clay, brick, tile, and glazed tile, but it is not uncommon to find those made of more valuable materials – iron, copper, silver, even gold and ivory. Incredibly, some towers are decorated with gem stones, but these are usually smaller structures enshrined within imperial temples.
10 famous Chinese Towers
For many travelers to China, traditional Chinese architecture has a fascination for them. And the Chinese tower is a kind of very unique Chinese architecture. Here we list 10 famous Chinese towers you should never miss if you are interested in Chinese architecture.
1. Yellow Crane Tower 黄鹤楼 – Wuhan
Yellow Crane Tower, located in Snake Hill in Wuchang, is a famous and historic tower. The tower was first built in 223 AD and the present building is a five-story building with a height of 50.4 meters. Standing on tower, people can enjoy the beautiful landscape of Wuhan as well as the remarkable Yangtze River.
2. Tengwang Tower 滕王阁 -Nanchang
Tengwang Tower (or Tengwang Pavilion), located in Nanchang City, was first built in 659AD. The poem “Preface to Tengwang Tower” written by Tang dynasty (618-907AD) poet Wang Bo have made the tower famous. This nine-storied building stands 57.5 meters in height, featuring flying eaves and engraved beams, looks quite splendid.
3. Guanque Tower (Stork Tower) 鹳雀楼 – Yongji
Guanque Tower (Stork Tower) was originally built in Bei Zhou (A.D.557-581). It is located in east bank of Huang River in ancient town Puzhou. Due to its delicate structure and superior location, the tower is known as one of the four famous ancient towers in China. The poem “On Guanque Tower” by famous Tang Dynasty poet Wang Zhihuan made the tower famous in China and abroad.
4. Yueyang Tower 岳阳楼 – Yueyang
Yueyang Tower is located near the lakeside of Dongting in Yueyang City, Hunan Province. The tower is believed to be built more than 1,700 years ago during the Three Kingdoms Period. Yueyang Tower was made very famous by the Northern Song Dynasty poet Fan Zhongyan`s work “Memorial to Yueyang Tower”. Standing on top of the tower, people can enjoy beautiful scenery of Lake Dongting.
5. Yuejiang Tower 阅江楼 – Nanjing
Yuejiang Tower sits on top of the Lion Hill near the banks of the Yangtze River in Nanjing City. Zhu Yuanzhang, the first emperor of Ming Dynasty ordered to build the Yuejiang Tower and wrote the “Note on Yuejiang Tower” in person. It is 52 meters high, with seven floors in total. Climbing up the tower, one can enjoy the Yangtze River as well as the scenery of Nanjing.
6. Xunyang Tower 浔阳楼 – Jiujiang
Located in Jiujiang City of Jiangxi Province, Xunyang Tower is widely known for vivid description of the famous classical Chinese novel “the Water Margin” by Shi Naian. The building was first built about 1200 years ago and the present building was rebuilt in 1989. The tower is 21 meters high and from the highest point of the pavilion one can gain great views across the lakes and landscape of Jiujiang.
7. Guangyue Tower 光岳楼 – Liaocheng
Originally built in A.D. 1374, Guangyue Tower is one of the most ancient wooden towers in China. It’s in the center of ancient urban district of Liaocheng. With 33 meters in height, the tower offers magnificent and splendid view and is the symbol of Liaocheng city. The Qing dynasty Emperor Kangxi visited the Tower for several times and left poems and handwriting here.
8. The Drum Tower of Xi’an 西安鼓楼 – Xi’an
The Drum Tower of Xi’an stands at the heart of Xi’an city. The tower was built in 1380 during the early Ming Dynasty. It got its name from the huge drum located within the building and the drum was beat at sunset to indicate the end of the day. Inside the Drum Tower, there is also a drum museum, where a variety of drums is on display.
9. Jiaxiu Tower 甲秀楼 – Guiyang
Jiaxiu Tower stands on the Nanming River, in Guiyang. The Tower is connected with the banks on both sides by Fuyu Bridge. This Chinese-style structure was built in 1597 in the Ming Dynasty. Inside Jiaxiu Tower, a precious collection of authentic works, colorful paintings, and ancient calligraphers was kept and on show.
10. Yuewang Tower 越王楼 – Mianyang
Yuewang Tower is located in Mianyang city, Sichuan Province. The tower was first built in the Emperor Gaozong of Tang Dynasty; it got its name from the local governor Li Zhen, the eighth some of Emperor Taizong.
