Spring and Autumn Tower in Xuchang

Spring and Autumn Tower in Xuchang

The Spring and Autumn Tower is a national AAA-level tourist attraction and a key cultural relic protection unit of China.

The Spring and Autumn Tower scenic area is situated in the center of Xuchang, in the middle section of Wenmiao Front Street. It enjoys a superior geographical location and very convenient transportation. This ancient architectural complex showcases Ming and Qing dynasty styles and is a key cultural relic protection unit of Henan Province as well as a national 3A-level tourist attraction.

In the fifth year of the Jian’an era of the Eastern Han Dynasty, Cao Cao launched an eastern campaign and captured Guan Yu along with Liu Bei’s two consorts, Lady Gan and Lady Mi, after the Battle of Xiapi. To ensure the safety of his sworn sisters-in-law, Guan Yu temporarily submitted to Cao Cao following the “Three Pledges on Earth Hill” and came to Xuchang. Cao Cao, who valued talent and generals, appointed Guan Yu as a Major-General and bestowed upon him a residence where he could live together with the two imperial consorts. To avoid any suspicion, Guan Yu divided the residence into an inner and outer courtyard, housing the two consorts in the inner courtyard while he stayed in the outer one. There was a tower in the courtyard where Guan Yu stayed up all night reading the Spring and Autumn Annals by candlelight, hence the name “Spring and Autumn Tower.”

The existing ancient architectural complex of the Spring and Autumn Tower was initially built during the Zhiyuan era of the Yuan Dynasty. After multiple renovations across the Yuan, Ming, and Qing dynasties, it formed the basic layout of “one residence divided into two courtyards.” Along the central axis of the outer courtyard are, in sequence, the Zi Gate, Bell and Drum Towers, Spring and Autumn Tower, Blade and Seal Tower, and Guan Sheng Hall. The inner courtyard includes the Greeting Pavilion, Palace of Ladies Gan and Mi, the Hall of Returning the Seal and Sealing the Gold, and auxiliary structures. It neighbors the Confucian Temple to the west, covering a total area of about 30 acres, making it an important site along the Three Kingdoms tourism route.

Cultural facilities, content, and characteristics within the scenic area: The Spring and Autumn Tower scenic area is a cultural landmark rooted in the culture of the Three Kingdoms, rich in cultural connotations and well-equipped with infrastructure. The entire scenic area has three main highlights: The main structures along the central axis of the outer courtyard—the Mountain Gate, Spring and Autumn Tower, and Guan Sheng Hall—feature unique architectural styles with single, double, and triple eaves. Notably, the Guan Sheng Hall, the main structure in the scenic area, stands 33.1 meters tall, and the 15-meter-tall statue of Guan Yu enshrined inside is the tallest of its kind in China. The inner courtyard is adorned with pavilions, terraces, towers, and chambers arranged in an artful layout. Neighboring the Confucian Temple to the west, the co-worship of the “Civil and Martial Sages” is a rarity in China. Additionally, the scenic area preserves many precious stone inscriptions, among which the “Stele of Posthumous Title for Li Bin, Lord of Longxi” by the great Yuan Dynasty calligrapher Zhao Mengfu is considered the museum’s treasured jewel.

Since its opening to the public, the scenic area has seen steady growth in tourism revenue and an increasing number of visitors. Especially after being designated as a national 3A-level tourist attraction, with the gradual improvement of its service facilities, the area's tourism reception capacity has significantly strengthened. In 2004, it received 105,000 visitors; in 2005, 126,000; and in 2006, 148,000. Today, the Spring and Autumn Tower scenic area has increasingly become a popular destination for tourists from home and abroad to sightsee and pay homage to Guan Yu.

According to the “Records of the Three Kingdoms: Book of Shu,” “In the fifth year of Jian’an (200 AD), Cao Cao campaigned eastward. The Former Lord (Liu Bei) fled to Yuan Shao, and Cao captured Guan Yu and brought him back, appointing him as a Major-General and treating him with great honor.” Based on this historical fact, the “Romance of the Three Kingdoms” provides an elaborate, albeit somewhat embellished, account: To protect the safety of his two imperial consorts, Lady Gan and Lady Mi, Guan Yu submitted to Cao Cao after the “Three Pledges on Earth Hill.” Cao Cao gave Guan Yu a residence to share with the two consorts. Guan Yu divided the residence into two courtyards, with the consorts staying in the inner courtyard and himself living alone in the outer one. There was a tower in the courtyard where Guan Yu stayed up all night reading the Spring and Autumn Annals by candlelight—this is the so-called Spring and Autumn Tower.

The ancient architectural complex of the Spring and Autumn Tower was initially built during the Zhiyuan era of the Yuan Dynasty and later underwent several renovations. In 1995, the Xuchang Municipal People’s Government invested 15 million yuan to carry out large-scale renovations of the Spring and Autumn Tower cultural relics scenic area and also newly developed the Spring and Autumn Tower Square. The Spring and Autumn Tower is now a provincial-level cultural relic protection unit announced by the Henan Provincial People’s Government.

Address: Middle Section of Wenmiao Front Street, Weidu District, Xuchang City

Type: Historical Site

Recommended Visiting Time: About 1 hour

Tel: 0374-2188284

Opening Hours:

8:00-17:30

Ticket Information:

Door Price: 25.0 RMB

Further Reading:

· Third Batch of Key Cultural Relics Protection Units in Henan Province