Nanjing Yuejiang Tower Scenic Area

Nanjing Yuejiang Tower Scenic Area

The Nanjing Yuejiang Tower Scenic Area is a national AAAA-level tourist attraction.

“A river surges eastward for thousands of miles, two inscriptions call forth the tower through six hundred years.” This exquisite couplet vividly portrays the six-hundred-year history and vicissitudes of Nanjing’s Yuejiang Tower. Ascend the tower and gaze into the distance, where the vast river flows mightily eastward, laid out in full view—as if the six hundred years of misty history since Zheng He’s voyages to the Western Seas unfold before your eyes. Staff at Yuejiang Tower explain that back then, Zheng He’s massive fleet set sail right from Longjiang in Xiaguan, Nanjing, majestically journeying from here to the departure port of Liujiagang in Taicang.

The Yuejiang Tower Scenic Area spans a total of 31 hectares, with one-third covered by water and two-thirds by land, and a green coverage rate of 85%. The area features over 30 historical sites, including Yuejiang Tower, Wanxian Pavilion, Ancient Artillery Fort, Sun Yat-sen’s Yuejiang Viewing Spot, the Five Armies’ Tunnels, Ancient City Walls, Dizang Temple, Five-Colored Earth, and Jinghai Temple. It is a nationally renowned tourist destination that blends cultural and natural landscapes. It is also a national AAAA-level tourist attraction.

The Yuejiang Tower within the scenic area is themed around Ming Dynasty culture, divided into three main sections: “Unification, Openness, and Development,” showcasing statues of the 16 emperors of the Ming Dynasty and maps of the Ming realm. The area also houses five “national superlatives”: the porcelain painting *The Complete Voyage of Zheng He to the Western Seas*, the double-sided embroidery *Four Famous Towers of Jiangnan*, the white marble carving of *The Record of Yuejiang Tower*, the Yuejiang Tower Tripod, and the Lion Ridge Yuejiang Relief. These creations are novel in concept, exquisitely crafted, and uniquely distinctive, fully reflecting the long history and profound cultural heritage of Yuejiang Tower.

Since its opening, Nanjing Yuejiang Tower has attracted countless domestic and international visitors. In addition to admiring the tower’s unique Jianghuai-style charm, many are captivated by the epic tale of Zheng He’s voyages. One poet praised: “Zheng He once opened the nation’s gate, warships blared horns in peaceful state. Six hundred years later it reopens wide, ascend the tower and hear prosperity’s tide.” To commemorate the 600th anniversary of Zheng He’s voyages, the large-scale documentary *1405—Zheng He’s Voyages to the Western Seas* held its filming launch ceremony at Yuejiang Tower. At the Nanjing Yuejiang Tower’s *Majestic Spirit of the Ming* lantern exhibition, which opened on July 18, 2005, a special *Zheng He’s Voyages to the Western Seas* lantern display was featured. The lower part depicted rolling, ever-changing waves, while the upper section showcased densely packed ships with towering sails. The distinctive design, finely crafted fleet and figures, and richly varied lighting effects brought this great achievement in world maritime history back to life.

National Superlatives: Yuejiang Tower Scenic Area Boasts Five National Records

1. Stone Lions — These are currently the largest pair of male lions in China, standing 4.8 meters tall and weighing about 30 tons. Carved from a single block of Suzhou Jinshan stone in the style of the era of Emperor Taizu of Ming, they were modeled after the guardian lions at the entrance of the Ming Ancestors’ Tomb in Xuyi County. The two majestic lions exude an imperial grandeur.

2. White Marble Stele Inscription — Zhu Yuanzhang’s *Record of Yuejiang Tower*, transcribed by a contemporary calligrapher, with the stele’s reverse side engraved with *Record of Yuejiang Tower* by Song Lian, selected for inclusion in *Guwen Guanzhi* (*Models of Classical Prose*). The white marble was quarried from Fangshan in Beijing, measuring 3.1 meters in height, 4.8 meters in width, and weighing 15 tons. It is the largest white marble stele inscription in the country.

3. Yuejiang Tower Tripod — The largest replica of the Western Zhou Dynasty’s Simuwu Ding in the country, weighing 4 tons. The tripod is inscribed with seal script: “When the lion dreams and awakens, its mane unfurls; descendants pride themselves in their Yanhuang lineage; the mountain stands firm as their spine; overlooking the ancient Yangtze; the river rushes to the sea, vast and mighty; the tower rises above the clouds, resolute and impassioned; the tripod is cast forever in this hall of glory.” The first character of each of these seven lines combines to read “Lion Mountain Yuejiang Tower Tripod.”

4. Zheng He’s Voyages to the Western Seas Porcelain Painting — The largest porcelain painting in China, measuring 12.8 meters in height and 8 meters in width. Behind the mural are works by Tang Bohu and Zhu Zhishan.

5. Bronze Relief — The largest bronze relief in the country, measuring 2 meters in height and 8 meters in width, created by master sculptor Wu Weishan. Yuejiang Tower is one of the Four Famous Towers of Jiangnan.

Historical Background

The idea to build Yuejiang Tower originated 626 years ago with Zhu Yuanzhang, the founding emperor of the Ming Dynasty. Before ascending the throne, Zhu Yuanzhang used red and yellow flags on Lion Mountain to command tens of thousands of hidden troops, defeating the powerful attack of 400,000 soldiers led by his formidable rival Chen Youliang. This victory laid the foundation for the establishment of the Ming Dynasty. Fourteen years later, in the spring of 1374 (the 7th year of the Hongwu reign), Zhu Yuanzhang built a pavilion on Lion Mountain and personally named it Yuejiang Tower. He then assigned the court’s literary officials the task of each writing a *Record of Yuejiang Tower*. Three such writings have survived to this day: the famous late Yuan–early Ming literary figure and Hanlin Academician Song Lian’s *Record of Yuejiang Tower*, as well as two pieces personally written by Zhu Yuanzhang: *Record of Yuejiang Tower* and *Another Record of Yuejiang Tower*. Zhu Yuanzhang also mobilized prisoners to construct the “leveling base”—the foundation—for the tower atop Lion Mountain.

Reason for Construction Halt

After writing the tower records and laying the foundation, Zhu Yuanzhang suddenly decided to halt construction of Yuejiang Tower. In his *Another Record of Yuejiang Tower*, he explained the reasons: first, he had dreamed that heaven instructed him not to rush the construction; second, after careful consideration, he felt he should prioritize more urgent matters, and the tower could wait. Another reason was the need to concentrate financial and human resources on building the walls of Nanjing and the secondary capital Fengyang. Later, even the Fengyang city wall project was halted due to excessive costs.

Completion of Construction

The tower was completed in 2001. Notably, due to the loss of many ancient materials and differences between modern construction standards and techniques, the newly built Yuejiang Tower did not use traditional wooden structures but was instead constructed with modern reinforced concrete. This choice left the iconic tower somewhat lacking in its original historic charm.

Suggested Visit Duration

2 hours

Transportation

Public Transport

1. Take bus 100 to Daqiao South Station. After getting off, you’ll reach a Y-shaped intersection. Take the small road on the right, walk for about 10 minutes to the top, then turn left to see Fengyi Gate, beneath which lies the southern entrance to Yuejiang Tower.

2. From Nanjing Railway Station, take bus 10 and get off at Daqiao Hotel Station. Alternatively, take buses 21, 18, 16, 54, or the Yanlun Line to reach the area.

Ticket Price

40 RMB per person; 35 RMB when booked on the official website. Seniors aged 60–69 and full-time undergraduate/graduate students receive a 50% discount. Free entry for seniors aged 70+ and children under 1.2 meters. A combined ticket for Yuejiang Tower and Tianfei Palace is 45 RMB per person.

Opening Hours

7:00–18:00 (April 1–October 31); 7:30–17:30 (November 1–March 31 of the following year)

Attraction Location

No. 202, Jianning Road, Gulou District, Nanjing City