Zheta Tower

Zheta Tower

Zheta Tower is a cultural tourism attraction.

Zheta Tower was first built in the second year of the Jianning era during the Northern Song Dynasty (1065). The five-story tower features an octagonal structure with upturned eaves and horse-drinking designs. Each level is inlaid with brick carvings of Buddha statues, and the tower top is round, resembling an upside-down wok. Legend has it that a strong wind once blew the top off, causing heavy leaks during rain. One day, a large wok suddenly flew over and covered the top, and from then on, it no longer leaked. The mountain, temple, and tower rise layer upon layer, blending into one, forming one of the famous “Eight Scenic Spots of Wuhu” — “Zheta Tower in Clear Mist.”

Zheta Tower has long enjoyed a great reputation. Located in the backyard of the “Jiuhua Temporary Palace” within Zheshan Park, the tower was first built in the second year of the Jianning era of the Northern Song Dynasty (1065). It is a brick-and-stone structure, five stories high with a hexagonal base. Each level of the outer wall is inlaid with brick-carved Buddha statues, and it is a key cultural relic protection unit of Anhui Province. Legend says that a strong wind once blew off the tower top, leading to continuous leaks. One day, a wok suddenly flew over and covered the top, and the leaks stopped. The Qing Dynasty poet Huang Cheng wrote in his poem “Bamboo Branch Lyrics of Yu Lake”: “A flying wok covers the spire, wind chimes silent through the years,” referring to this legend.

Zheta Tower stands majestically against the mountain and embraces the temple. Surrounded by lush woods, bamboo groves, and fragrant grass, “after the rain, the misty light drifts ethereally,” making the scenery extraordinarily beautiful. Throughout the ages, countless literati and scholars have been captivated by it, leaving behind many widely loved poems. In the slanting sunlight after the rain, climbing to the top and looking into the distance allows you to appreciate the poetic imagery of the ancients: “The great river moves beyond the mist, spring birds sing by the islets.” You can also take in the vibrant modern urban landscape of the riverside city — densely packed skyscrapers, crisscrossing roads, mountains and waters all around, and lush flowers and trees — as if stepping into a painting.

Zheta Tower is connected with other scenic spots such as Guangji Temple, Shutian Pavilion, Cuiming Garden, the tomb of Liu Xiping — a renowned educator for the common people, and the tomb of Dai Anlan — a celebrated anti-Japanese general. Together, they complement each other, forming a beautiful scenic area in the city center. In 1996, the Wuhu Municipal People’s Government raised funds to renovate Zheta Tower, enhancing the historical charm of the “Zheta Tower in Clear Mist” landscape.