Xuanfeng Tower

Xuanfeng Tower

Located in Wugang City, it was an ancient scenic spot for viewing snowscapes. Climbing to the top offers a panoramic view of the snowy landscape. During his tenure as the Defense Commissioner of Shaoyang, Zhao Jun of the Song Dynasty inscribed the four large characters “Xuanfeng Snow Clearing,” which were made into a plaque and hung on the city tower. It was destroyed in the wars during the late Ming Dynasty.

Xuanfeng Tower, originally named Xuanfeng Snow Clearing Tower, is situated on the city wall of Jichuan Gate (the old South Gate). It was an ancient scenic spot for admiring snow views. From the tower, one can take in the snow-covered cityscape, with orange hues subtly contrasting the lush greenery, and everything glistening brilliantly in the distance. The Tang Dynasty poet Wang Changling once wrote the poem "Xuanfeng Snow Clearing": “As the rising sun shifts the glow of the imperial palace, the jade-like light greets the emerald pines before they are bathed in its full radiance.” When Emperor Lizong of the Song Dynasty, Zhao Yun, served as the Defense Commissioner of Shaoyang, he inscribed the four characters “Xuanfeng Snow Clearing,” which were mounted on a plaque and hung in the tower. It was destroyed in the wars during the late Ming Dynasty. In the second year of the Kangxi reign of the Qing Dynasty, Prefect Wu Congqian rebuilt it, and it was reconstructed again in the first year of the Guangxu reign. It collapsed and fell into disuse during the Republican era. In 1994, it was rebuilt with an area of 708 square meters, featuring a Song-style architectural design with two floors, a winding corridor, and a majestic, magnificent presence.

The structure of Xuanfeng Tower is primarily built from stone and wood, with carved beams and painted rafters, presenting a grand, sturdy, and elegant appearance. On both sides, it connects to centuries-old Ming and Qing city walls. Just a few dozen steps away, it is surrounded by a moat. As the gate tower of Wugang, a historic and cultural city, Xuanfeng Tower enjoys convenient transportation and a pleasant environment, bustling with merchants. Since ancient times, it has served as a symbolic landmark promoting the image of Wugang. In recent years, as a key heritage site of Wugang, its fame has grown along with the city’s development and the establishment of its status as a historic and cultural city. Every visitor to the area is drawn to see it and take commemorative photos.