Jining Kuixing Tower

Jining Kuixing Tower

In the 27th year of the Wanli era of the Ming Dynasty (1599), Peng Kunhua from Runan was appointed as the magistrate of Jinxiang County and initiated the construction of the Kuixing Tower. The upper floor enshrined the statue of the Kuixing deity, while the lower floor featured open windows on all sides. A Lingyun Bridge was built in front of the tower over the Shou River, connecting it to the mainland. In the 27th year of the Kangxi reign (1705), the Kuixing Tower collapsed, and the wooden structure of the Lingyun Bridge decayed. Magistrate Shen Yuan was the first to donate his salary to advocate for the restoration, and many responded to the call. The Kuixing Tower was fully restored, and the Lingyun Bridge was rebuilt. It was supported by stone piers, with large wooden beams forming the span, covered by thick planks, and had three arches. In the 24th year of the Xianfeng reign (1854), the Kuixing Tower was destroyed during wartime. By the 12th year of the Guangxu reign (1886), Magistrate Cheng Fangde raised funds through donations to rebuild the Kuixing Tower, retaining the original foundation design. “A surrounding wall was also reconstructed,” protected by railings, making it resplendent with gold and colors, and freshly painted. As for the Lingyun Bridge, its damaged parts were reinforced, stone railings were installed on both sides, and a stone path was laid at the front. For over a hundred years thereafter, the tower suffered from wind erosion, rain damage, frequent warfare, long-term neglect, and deliberate destruction during the Cultural Revolution. The Kuixing Tower’s walls crumbled, the roof collapsed, doors rotted, and windows broke, while the bridge sank and stones disappeared. In 1983, the Kuixing Tower was renovated along with the construction of the Lingyun Bridge in Xinghu Park. On March 17, 2001, it was designated as a municipal-level cultural relics protection unit by the Jining Municipal People's Government.

Further Reading:

· Fourth Batch of Shandong Provincial Cultural Relics Protection Units

· Third Batch of Jining Municipal Cultural Relics Protection Units