Jiaxiu Tower

Jiaxiu Tower stands on a large rock known as the Turtle Rock in the Nanming River in Nanming District, Guiyang, and is the best-known symbol of the Guizhou capital. The pavilion was first built in 1598, in the Ming dynasty Wanli reign, by the provincial official Jiang Dongzhi, and was intended as a place to promote local scholarship and to mark the river crossing. The name Jiaxiu, roughly meaning fine and outstanding, is attributed to the tower's role as a gathering place for scholars. The original timber building has been destroyed and rebuilt several times, notably in the Qing dynasty and again in the 20th century, so the present structure is a reconstruction in traditional style. It rises three storeys, about 20 metres, with a square plan, stacked upturned eaves, and glazed roof tiles, standing on a stone base connected to the riverbank by the Fuyu Bridge, a multi-arch stone bridge. The tower is entered across the bridge and visitors climb internal staircases, with each level furnished with calligraphy, couplets and carved screens describing its history and the poetry composed there. Inscriptions and poems by officials and scholars from different periods hang inside, giving a thematic account of the tower's literary role. Surrounding the tower are a small garden, an old stone gate and a paved riverside promenade. Restoration has included repairs to the foundation and woodwork, and the setting has been landscaped with lighting along the river, so the tower is a popular evening viewing site. Entry is free, and the site is typically open from about 9:00 in the morning until 5:00 in the afternoon, though the riverside areas remain accessible later. It lies close to the city centre and can be combined with the nearby Fuyu Bridge, Cuiwei Garden and other Guiyang sights.