Longnan Wen Tower

Longnan Wen Tower

Longnan Wen Tower

The Wen Tower is situated two kilometers southwest of the county town, atop Wugong Mountain at the junction of Jingu Village in Longnan Town and Matou Ridge in Dujiang Township, on the east side of the Taojiang River and the Longquan Highway. In ancient times, Wugong Mountain was densely forested with towering ancient trees, where fierce beasts such as tigers and leopards often roamed, harming people and livestock. The Taojiang River originates from Dongtaoling in Quannan, over two hundred li away from Longnan County. Upon reaching the foot of Wugong Mountain, it encounters a massive rock that causes swirling eddies and depths of over ten feet, often dragging boat rafts to the riverbed. Giant pythons also lurked in the river, endangering children playing in the water. To prevent tigers, leopards, venomous snakes, and other dangers from entering the county town and harming the people, the county residents used surplus funds from the expansion of Longnan City during the Qing Dynasty's Tongzhi era to build a tower atop Wugong Mountain to suppress evil and ward off demons. As Wugong Mountain resembled a formation of wild geese flying in the sky, it was then called "Yan Tower" (Wild Goose Tower). Later, "Yan Tower" was abandoned, and during the late Qing Dynasty, the residents rebuilt a "Wen Tower" (Literary Tower) in its likeness to ensure the safety of the region. However, according to the "Longnan County Annals" from the second year of the Guangxu reign, it is recorded: “Wugong Mountain is four li from the county seat, a mountain divided into five peaks, also known as Wuma Mountain, resembling a formation of wild geese flying in the sky. At the foot of the mountain lies the old Yan Tower, one of the Eight Scenic Spots of Longnan, though the tower is now abandoned.” Legend has it that after the Yan Tower was abandoned, the “Five Peaks” turned into the “Five Ghosts,” hence it was also called “Five Ghosts Mountain.” For safety, the residents of the county town built the “Wen Tower” atop Wugong Mountain on the foundation of the former “Yan Tower” to suppress the Five Ghosts. However, the "Longnan County Annals" from the second year of the Guangxu reign do not mention the Wen Tower, so it is believed to have been built after that year. The Wen Tower is three stories high and hexagonal, with the first and second stories being hexagonal in shape, and the third story forming a cone. The first story has a base edge width of 3 meters, a distance across opposite sides of about 6 meters, and a height of 4 meters. It is built with blue bricks, featuring an arched door facing northeast that can accommodate five or six people. The second story has a base edge width of 2.5 meters, a distance across opposite sides of about 5 meters, and a height of 2 meters. It is constructed of solid blue bricks. The third story is built as a cone with pebbles and is 1.5 meters high. The entire tower stands 7.5 meters tall, and its spire resembles a brush tip saturated with ink, hence the name “Wen Tower.” The characters “Wen Tower” are inscribed in relief on the bricks. The reconstruction of the Wen Tower was intended both to pray for flourishing literary culture in the region and to suppress evil and ward off demons.

The "Longnan County Annals" from the second year of the Guangxu reign record: “Wugong Mountain is four li from the county seat, a mountain divided into five peaks, also known as Wuma Mountain, resembling a formation of wild geese flying in the sky. At the foot of the mountain lies the old Yan Tower, one of the Eight Scenic Spots of Longnan, though the tower is now abandoned.” Legend has it that after the Yan Tower was abandoned, the “Five Peaks” turned into the “Five Ghosts,” hence it was also called “Five Ghosts Mountain.” For safety, the residents of the county town built the “Wen Tower” atop Wugong Mountain on the foundation of the former “Yan Tower” to suppress the Five Ghosts. However, the "Longnan County Annals" from the second year of the Guangxu reign do not mention the Wen Tower, so it is believed to have been built after that year. The Wen Tower is three stories high and hexagonal, with the first and second stories being hexagonal in shape, and the third story forming a cone. The first story has a base edge width of 3 meters, a distance across opposite sides of about 6 meters, and a height of 4 meters. It is built with blue bricks, featuring an arched door facing northeast that can accommodate five or six people. The second story has a base edge width of 2.5 meters, a distance across opposite sides of about 5 meters, and a height of 2 meters. It is constructed of solid blue bricks. The third story is built as a cone with pebbles and is 1.5 meters high. The entire tower stands 7.5 meters tall, and its spire resembles a brush tip saturated with ink, hence the name “Wen Tower.” The characters “Wen Tower” are inscribed in relief on the bricks. The reconstruction of the Wen Tower was intended both to pray for flourishing literary culture in the region and to suppress evil and ward off demons.

The Wen Tower (Yan Tower), adjacent to the Taojiang River, is often shrouded in mountain mist and rosy clouds, appearing like smoke or mist. In ancient times, it was one of the Eight Scenic Spots of Longnan — “Yan Tower Morning Mist.” Many literati and poets in ancient times climbed the tower and composed poems in its praise:

Lin Youxi, a successful candidate in the highest imperial examinations during the Qing Dynasty, visited Longnan and composed a poem praising “Yan Tower Morning Mist”: The solitary Yan Tower stands out among the rest, its peak high as the vital energy rises through layered clouds. Why is it enshrouded in mist on all sides? The sunlight and pearl-like glow have not yet brightened the dawn.

Lai Debiao, a local scholar, referred to the Yan Tower as the “Hundred-Zhang Golden Stalk” and the “One Jade Sprout,” towering majestically and enveloped in clouds and mist. He wrote the poem “Yan Tower Morning Mist”: A solitary peak rises majestically, morning mist slowly wraps around the emerald vines. The hundred-zhang golden stalk catches the morning dew, the one jade sprout reaches for the Milky Way. The desolate dawn light divides the thin woods, the hazy sunlight carries the light of the stream. Longing to take in the view and gaze a thousand miles, the southern skies are filled with auspicious air.

Xu Shizi, a successful candidate in the imperial provincial examinations from Longnan in the Qing Dynasty, expressed dissent regarding the Eight Scenic Spots of Longnan — namely, Dragon Head Snow Waves, Kuimei Clear Haze, Jingu Shepherd’s Flute, Jade Rock Immortal Cavern, East Temple Morning Bell, West Mountain Evening Moon, Tao River Sunset Glow, and Yan Tower Morning Mist. He wrote the essay “Eight Scenic Spots Analysis,” stating: “The Yan Tower is located in front of Wugong Mountain, with a small stream flowing north and a major river winding west. Overlooking the convergence of the two streams, it enhances the scenic beauty.” The major river refers to the Taojiang River (also called the West River). Therefore, he proposed renaming “Yan Tower Morning Mist” to “Yan Tower by the Stream” and composed the poem “Yan Tower by the Stream”: The tower stands tall like a brush above the waterside, its shadow reflected in the dual streams with sparse steps. Above, it cradles the silent birds of the secluded hut; below, it carries the sounds of lessons from the fish in the quiet study. Travelers look up in awe, fearing their hats may fall; passersby gaze from afar, slowing their pace. Who inscribed their name on this lofty brush? Pouring wine into the sky, they ask the toad.

Longnan Town: Longnan Town is located in the northeastern part of Longnan County, Ganzhou City, Jiangxi Province, at the confluence of the Tao and Wo rivers. It is the county seat of Longnan, as well as the political, economic, and cultural center of the area. The town hosts various factories and enterprises, including textiles, hardware, auto repair, agricultural machinery, food processing, pharmaceuticals, and printing. ... More detailed information about Longnan Town++

Further Reading:

· The Four Towers of Longnan