Kou Gong Tower

Kou Gong Tower

Kou Gong Tower is a cultural relic protection unit of Dao County.

Kou Gong Tower, as the name suggests, was built to commemorate Kou Zhun, a renowned statesman of the Song Dynasty. Legend has it that when Kou Zhun was demoted to the post of Sima in Daozhou, he often roamed the mountains and waters to soothe his frustration and loneliness. There, he befriended an old fisherman. He asked the fisherman, “I see you often fish here. Are there particularly many fish in this area?” The fisherman replied, “I don’t care whether there are many or few fish here. I’m here to fish for peace.” The fisherman’s absurd answer greatly surprised Kou Zhun. What kind of thing is peace? How could one fish it out? Unable to contain his curiosity, Kou pressed on. Only then did the fisherman explain that the place was called Jinding Beach because, long, long ago, an immortal passing through accidentally dropped a golden tripod from his shoulder into the river. The immortal was shocked and said that if the golden tripod sank into the river, the world would fall into chaos and the people would suffer for years. He told future generations that one day the golden tripod would rise to the surface, and when that happened, peace would return to the world. That’s why the fisherman often fished here — he was waiting for the golden tripod to appear. Deeply moved, Kou Zhun realized how much the common people yearned for peaceful times. He then built a small pavilion there and personally inscribed the three large characters “Wang Taiping” (Gazing at Peace). In his poem “Spring Thoughts on the Past,” he wrote: “From the high tower I gaze into the distance, over the vast, boundless plain. No one crosses the wild waters; a lone boat lies across the river all day. A desolate village shrouded in fading mist, an ancient temple where orioles sing. My old home lies far beyond the clear Wei River; lost in thought, I suddenly startle myself awake.” Later, Kou Zhun was demoted again, this time to Qiongzhou, at the very edge of the world. The people, missing him, looked at the pavilion and thought of him, and thus began calling the small pavilion “Kou Gong Tower.”

Kou Gong Tower is square-shaped, has three stories, faces south, and features a traditional multi-eaved, double-tiered architectural style. In front of the tower is a “V”-shaped whitewashed wall, and at the entrance stands a low screen-like flower wall. Stone steps lead up to the tower on both sides. The main structure is built from blue bricks, and above the front lintel hangs a plaque inscribed with the golden characters “Kou Gong Tower.” There are small side doors on the east and west, four main pillars, and a central wooden panel displaying an introduction to Kou Gong Tower. Above the main tower is another level, constructed from fir wood. It holds significant historical value and has been designated as a key county-level cultural relic protection site.