Yuejiang Tower
Yuejiang Tower (Enjoying-the-River Tower 阅江楼[1]) is situated on the top of Shizishan (Lion Mountain) to the northwest of Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, China. "Yue" is equivalent to "Enjoying" in Chinese while “River” refers to the world-famous Yangtze River. Ascending the tower, one can enjoy the Yangtze River extending far away to its north and the scenery of Nanjing to its south.
In 1360, Zhu Yuanzhang defeated Chen Youliang’s 400,000 forces with his 80,000 army in Lu Longshan, which set up the basis for the reign of Ming Dynasty and for taking Nanjing as the capital. After proclaiming himself as the emperor, Zhu Yuanzhang changed Lu Longshan as the Lion Mountain in 1374. He ordered to build the Yuejiang Tower on top of the mountain and wrote the Note on Yuejiang Tower in person, although the tower were never built.
Yuejiang Tower was built first time and opened to the outside world in 2001. The building is 52 meters high, amounted to seven layers. With its distinct style of Ming Dynasty and classical royal makings, it is regarded as one of the Four Major Famous Buildings in Jiangnan with Yellow Crane Tower, Tengwang Pavilion and Yueyang Tower included.
Yuejiang Tower has attracted tens of millions people to come to have a visit and tour. It has also been reported that the action ceremony of the documentary of Zhenghe was set in Yuejiang Tower, Nanjing.
The architect is Professor Du Shunbao, a professor of Southeast University.
