Jiaxiu Tower

Jiaxiu Tower, situated in downtown Guiyang in Guizhou Province, is a grand wooden tower built on a huge turtle-shaped rock on Nanming River. Initially built in the Ming Dynasty (1368 - 1644), the tower has been renovated for six times. It used to be one of Eight Great Sights in Guiyang. Now regarded as a landmark and a cultural symbol of Guiyang, it should certainly be included in your plan.

Entrance Archway

Jiaxiu Tower     Pictures

After getting off the bus and beginning your visit, you will encounter three structures one by one. They are Fuyu Bridge, Jiaxiu Tower and Cuiwei Garden.

 It is the longest bridge in Guiyang City, measuring about 92m (300 feet) in length and 7m (23 feet) in width. The bridge adorned with white stone parapets resembles a jade It is the longest bridge in Guiyang City, measuring 92m (about 300 feet) in length and 7m (23 feet) in width. The bridge, adorned with white stone parapets, resembles a jade ribbon over the Nanming River; therefore, it is given the name Fuyu Bridge, literally Floating Jade Bridge. Thanks to the superb technique, Fuyu Bridge is beautiful and solid. It survived many floods, especially the devastating one in 1996. At the head of the bridge stands a magnificent stone archway. Hanbi Pavilion is located on the bridge.
 Walking from the Fuyu Bridge, you will reach Jiaxiu Tower. In ancient times, many intellectuals studied very hard here for the scholarly honor or official rank. Tto encourage them, the local majesty ordered a tower to be built and conferred on it the name of Jiaxiu, which means "getting the first place in imperial examinations". It is interesting that since the tower was built, Guizhou has seen three Top one Scholars and two of them are said to live near the Nanming River. Nowadays, Guizhou is still a propitious place where talents emerge in an endless stream.

Exhibits inside the Tower

Enchanting Night Scene

Jiaxiu Tower is a three-storey tower rising 20m (66 feet) high. Green tiles, red pillars, engraved windows and white stone parapets make the tower superb and striking. Ascending the tower one can enjoy a great view of the surrounding city scenery. If you are not that into old buildings, the night scene of the tower is equally impressive. Decorated with colorful lanterns, the tower is beautifully reflected in the water. Strolling on the bridge in a cool summer evening is also a delightful experience.

As a cultural and historical relic, Jiaxiu Tower was favored by men of letters in the past. They have left valuable works, such as calligraphy pieces, woodcrafts and stone tablets inscribed with poems, which are displayed on the first floor. Among all these relics, the most outstanding one is a long couplet written by Liu Yushan, a scholar in the Qing Dynasty (1644 - 1911). This masterpiece comprises two parts: the first line describes the beautiful scenery in Guizhou Province and the second line tells visitors about Guizhou's history. This long couplet of 206 Chinese characters rivals the "No.1 Couplet" in the Grand View Park in Kunming. You can easily find the long couplet on the door of the first floor.

 To the south of the tower is Cuiwei Garden, an architectural complex of the Ming and Qing Dynasties. Here can be discovered are Gongnan Pavilion, Cuiwei Pavilion, and Longmen Academy. These elaborate buildings have a distinctive architectural flavor of South China. Besides these ancient pavilions, a modern exhibition hall is in the garden. The unique hall houses traditional clothing, embroideries, and batiks of almost all ethnic minorities in Guizhou.
 

Take Bus 15, 34, 46, 48, 52, 61, 85, 249, 264, 305 or 307 to Jiaxiulou (Jiaxiu Tower).