Yellow Tower

Yellow Tower

On the banks of the ancient Yellow River in downtown Xuzhou stands a two-story high-rise building with traditional upturned eaves. This is the restored Yellow Tower, rebuilt in 1988. The historical Yellow Tower was built in August of the Yuanfeng era (1078) during the Song Dynasty by Su Shi, then prefect of Xuzhou, after he led the local military and civilians to successfully combat a devastating flood. Because earth overcomes water, the tower was coated with yellow soil and thus named the Yellow Tower. Inside the tower are many stone inscriptions, the most famous of which is the “Ode to the Yellow Tower,” written by Su Zhe and personally calligraphed by Su Shi. "Moon Viewing at the Yellow Tower" has also become one of the ancient Eight Scenic Spots of Xuzhou.

A pavilion name. Its former site was located in what is now Xuzhou City, Jiangsu Province. According to the “Ode to the Yellow Tower” by Su Zhe of the Song Dynasty: In the seventh month on the day of Yichou in the tenth year of the Xining reign (1077), the Yellow River burst its banks, and the floodwaters reached the foot of Pengcheng (Xuzhou). At the time, Su Shi happened to be the magistrate of Pengcheng. Before the flood arrived, he had the people prepare baskets, shovels, stockpile earth and stones, and gather fodder to seal up cracks and holes as preparations against the flood, so when the waters came, the people were not afraid. When the flood reached the city walls, Su Shi himself led the defense, prepared to stand or fall with the city, so the people did not flee in panic. After the waters receded, he also requested further reinforcement of Xuzhou’s city walls, so once the flood had gone, the bond between the people and their leader grew even stronger. As a result, a large building was erected on the eastern gate of the city, coated in yellow earth, under the reasoning that “earth truly overcomes water.” The people of Xuzhou encouraged each other to complete the project. Later, figures such as Su Zhe and Qin Guan climbed the Yellow Tower, admired the landscape, reflected upon the traces of the flood, and composed odes to the tower. Thereafter, the term “Yellow Tower” became symbolic of ascending to view landscapes, composing poetry and prose, and celebrating virtuous deeds. The current restored structure is located on the southern bank of the ancient Yellow River within the Old Yellow River Park, east of Qingyun Bridge on Huanghe South Road in Xuzhou. It sits atop the embankment along the southern bank of the old river. Originally built by Su Shi of the Northern Song Dynasty, it is one of the Five Famous Towers of Xuzhou.