Zhangzhou Bagua Tower

Zhangzhou Bagua Tower

The Bagua Tower is one of the historic landmarks in Zhangzhou. Originally built in 1572 AD, it was reconstructed from the southeast corner tower of the ancient city wall of Zhangzhou into an octagonal three-story wooden pavilion, initially named “Weizhen Pavilion.” Due to its eight-sided windows, symbolic of the Eight Trigrams, and its majestic appearance, it is also known as the “Bagua Tower.”

At that time, there was a couplet on the tower that read: “Five famous mountains, two beautiful waters, the city’s scenery connects with sea and peaks beyond; seven true Confucians, three top scholars, Zhangzhou’s literary heritage surpasses Fujian and Ou.” This refers to the reconstruction of the Bagua Tower in Zhangzhou, where stone foundations were first laid (level with the city wall), and then the octagonal three-story pavilion was rebuilt on top of the foundation, rising over 6 zhang (approximately more than 20 meters) above the city wall. In 1918 (the 7th year of the Republic of China), when the Guangdong Army under Chen Jiongming was stationed in Zhangzhou, the city wall was demolished to build roads, but the Bagua Tower was preserved.

The current Weizhen Pavilion is far larger in scale than those of previous eras. The main tower stands nearly 52 meters tall, lofty and elegant yet carefree, with extraordinary presence and deep symbolism. The Bagua Tower is even more dazzling at night, its splendid lights casting a dreamlike glow under the moonlit sky.

Location

Near Xinhua South Road, Zhangzhou City