Jingbian Tower

Jingbian Tower

Jingbian Tower, also known as the Southeast Corner Tower or Southeast Platform, is located at the southeastern corner of Shanhaiguan City and served as a defensive structure of the city.

According to the 1514 edition of the *Shanhaiguan Annals*, Jingbian Tower was first built in the early Ming Dynasty, and was renovated in the 15th year of the Chenghua era (1479), the 15th year of the Wanli era (1587), and the 39th year of the Wanli era (1611). In the 10th year of the Jiaqing era of the Qing Dynasty, it was rebuilt as Kuiguang Tower (also known as Kuixing Tower). In 1933, during the Japanese attack on Shanhaiguan, Jingbian Tower was destroyed by the invaders’ artillery fire.

To restore the grandeur of the ancient city of Shanhaiguan, the state allocated special funds for the restoration of Jingbian Tower in 1958. The restoration project was completed in 1986.

The restored Jingbian Tower is largely designed in the Ming-style architectural tradition. The entire structure stands atop a broad city platform. The main body of the platform is 43 meters wide and 11 meters high, featuring 30 crenels and 26 shooting holes. On the inner side of the central part of the platform, there is a 9-meter-wide east-west ramp that connects to the interior of Shanhaiguan City. Along the side adjacent to the city wall, there is also a 2-meter-wide brick staircase with 142 steps for pedestrians to ascend and descend. When it was originally built in the early Ming Dynasty, the design allowed soldiers to quickly reach the wall and take up defensive positions to repel enemies when battle was imminent.

Above the platform sits Jingbian Tower. It is a two-story brick-and-wood structure with an L-shaped floor plan. The total floor area is 658.4 square meters, and the tower stands 13.47 meters tall, topped with a hip-and-gable roof featuring nine ridges. Inside, a wooden staircase connects the two floors. The tower features 56 arrow slits, and its eaves, beams, and brackets are adorned with traditional Ming-style polychrome paintings, giving the structure a dignified and classic appearance.