Xunyang Tower

Located on the Yangtze River, Xunyang Tower was originally mentioned in the poem of Wei Yingwu, Cishi (feudal provincial or prefecture governor) of Jiangzhou in the Tang Dynasty (618 - 907). Later, Poets like Bai Juyi, Wei Yingwu and Su Dongpo visited here and left their poetries and inscriptions, but what made it widely known owes to the vivid description of the famous classical Chinese novel 'the Water Margin' (Shuihu) by Shi Nai'an.

The present Xunyang Tower we see was rebuilt in the spring of 1989 by the local government, covering an area of about 2,000 square meters (2, 392 square yards). The main building is as high as about 20 meters (66 feet), having a simple and grand look, with cloisters and green tiles and maintaining the style of restaurant in Song Dynasty (960 - 1279). Looking outside, you will see it has three floors but indeed it has four floors in it, although the fourth floor is unavailable now.

 

Walking into the hall of the first floor, what comes to your eyes first should be the two large-size murals about the scene that the hero Song Jiang wrote offensive poems and his brothers rescued him at the place of execution on the eastern and western wall respectively. The murals are made of 600 pieces of colored ceramic tiles by exquisite workmanship, presenting you vivid people and brilliant pictures.

 

The second floor is the exhibition hall, exhibited with the ceramic statue of the 108 heroes in 'the Water Margin'. The columns in the hall are carved with the poems of the celebrities of ancient and modern about Xunyang Tower.

 

The third floor is built into an ancient restaurant, equipped with Song-dynasty-style tables and chairs and broadcast classical music. When you climb up the pavilion and have an overlook, you will see that Yangtze River, the mist and the boats while enjoying Chinese wine and tea. This is really a beautiful picture and let you completely relaxed and happy.