Yongwang Tower

Yongwang Tower

Yongwang Tower is a cultural relic protection unit of Hebei Province.

In Malanyu Village, Zunhua City, Hebei Province, there stands an ancient tower named — Yongwang Tower. It is now a cultural relic protection unit of Hebei Province.

The tower is 17 meters high, with a base diameter of 3 meters, and features an overall solid octagonal structure with eight tiers of closely spaced eaves. Yongwang Tower consists of three parts: the spire, the main body, and the base. The base has two levels — the lower level is built with square stones, while the upper level’s Sumeru pedestal is constructed from blue bricks, with 32 arched niches separated by pillars, all adorned with brick carvings. Above the pedestal is a row of projecting eaves formed by carved brick brackets. The first tier of the tower body above the eaves is about 6 meters tall, with a small tower built at each of the eight corners of the main tower. These smaller towers resemble the main one, with half exposed and half embedded into the main structure, creating a unified whole with the main tower — hence it is also known as the "Nine Towers."

Each of the eight sides of the tower body has false windows, and the north and south sides have false arched doors made of bricks, with Buddha statues carved inside. The door on the north side is inlaid with a stone plaque inscribed with the characters “永旺塔” (Yongwang Tower). The upper inscription reads: “Commissioned by the Emperor, Commander-in-Chief of Military Training and Garrisoning of Jizhou, Yongping, Shanhai, and other regions, Shaobao and Crown Prince’s Guardian, Left Commander of the Central Military Commission, Qi Jiguang of Dingyuan.” The lower inscription states: “Erected on a propitious day in the mid-autumn of the tenth year of the Wanli era.” Above this are seven tiers of closely spaced eaves, with bracket sets stacked outward at each level, and wind bells hanging from each of the eight corners. The spire is crowned with a precious bead.

Further Reading:

· Second Batch of Cultural Relic Protection Units of Hebei Province