Yanghe Tower

Yanghe Tower stands on Yanghe East Road in the old town of Zhengding County, in Hebei province, near the Hutuo River. Zhengding was for many centuries a major walled prefectural city, known historically as Zhending and Zhenzhou, and its fortifications, gates and towers reflected its strategic position on the north-south road between the capital region and the Taihang passes. The tower is a gate or river-front structure in the traditional Chinese style, with a raised masonry base and a multi-eaved timber superstructure. In its present form it is a modern reconstruction that follows Ming and Qing precedents, rather than an unaltered original, and it was rebuilt as part of wider efforts to restore the character of the old town. Visitors can view the tower from the street and surrounding plaza, and in some periods it can be climbed to give a view across the old town roofs and towards the river. The tower makes a convenient and free stop between the larger temple and pagoda sites of Zhengding. Its interest lies in its architecture, its location along the old town's historic streets, and the opportunity to see the town's urban structure. Nearby are Linji Temple and the Chengling Pagoda, which share the same road, as well as the Kaiyuan, Guanghui and Lingxiao pagodas. A visit usually takes 15 to 30 minutes, and it is best combined with a walking circuit of the old town. Because opening arrangements can change, posted notices on arrival give the most reliable information.