First Tower of Streams and Mountains

The First Tower of Streams and Mountains

The First Tower of Streams and Mountains is located in the urban area of Shengzhou City. Built during the mid-Qing Dynasty, it offers panoramic views of the scenic beauty of Shanyan.

The main structures of the First Tower of Streams and Mountains include: an octagonal screen wall, a terrace, the First Tower of Streams and Mountains itself, the ceremonial gate of the City God Temple, and a theater stage. The architecture is renowned for its exquisite brick, stone, and wood carvings. The City God Temple and the First Tower of Streams and Mountains are among the relatively rare surviving ancient buildings that integrate all three carving arts—brick, stone, and wood.

The overall layout of the First Tower of Streams and Mountains and the City God Temple follows a central vertical axis, rising progressively from south to north in accordance with the natural terrain. The surviving structures include an octagonal screen wall, a terrace, the First Tower of Streams and Mountains along with its east and west wing rooms, the ceremonial gate of the City God Temple, and the theater stage. The front and rear main halls were demolished in 1973 and no longer exist. The terrace is situated between the screen wall and the First Tower of Streams and Mountains, elevated 3.6 meters above the ground level of the screen wall, with a stone slab edge on its southern side. The First Tower of Streams and Mountains has five bays, is two stories high, features a double-eaved hip-and-gable roof, and is surrounded by corridors. Both the front and back walls of the tower are adorned with brick carvings depicting floral patterns and narrative scenes of figures, rendered with remarkable lifelike detail. The tower is built upon a Sumeru pedestal foundation. The eastern, southern, and western sides of the pedestal are inlaid with eight high-relief blue stone antique designs. A stone doorway is cut through the center of the pedestal from north to south. Steps lead up to the courtyard, and beyond the courtyard lies the ceremonial gate. The ceremonial gate has five bays and a double-eaved hip-and-gable roof, with finely crafted brick carvings on its east and west gable walls—five exquisite pieces on each side—as well as two hollow-carved stone windows. The theater stage is connected to the ceremonial gate and faces north. It also features a double-eaved hip-and-gable roof, gray cylindrical roof tiles, dragon-shaped ridge ornaments on both its front and back, and “tile generals” atop the hip-and-gable roof. The upturned eaves are decorated with hollow-carved wooden ornaments. The stage's four columns rest on "Ya"-style plinths, and the beams, brackets, and columns are exquisitely carved. The column brackets (“que ti”) are adorned with a smiling depiction of “Liu Hai Playing with a Golden Toad.” The caisson ceiling of the stage is composed of sixteen bracket arms in total, with intricately carved images of eight swimming dragons embedded within. The east, west, and north sides of the stage are fitted with beautiful wooden backrests. The stage has a total height of 14.2 meters, and measures 5.18 meters in both width and depth. The entire ancient stage is embellished with over 100 carved pieces, illustrating opera characters and stories such as “The Japanese Robe,” “Mulian Rescuing His Mother,” and “Butterfly Dream.” The exceptional craftsmanship of the three carving arts earns this stage the title of the finest theater in the province, embodying the wisdom and sweat of countless ancient artisans.

Warm Reminder:

The Yue Opera Museum is located right next to this tower and can be visited for free at the same time.

Address: No. 9 Baibu Street, Shengzhou City, Shaoxing, Zhejiang Province

Type: Historical Site / Temple

Opening Hours:

08:30-17:00

Ticket Information:

Door Price: 2.0 RMB (includes tickets to the City God Temple and Hui'an Temple)