The First Tower of Lingnan

The First Tower of Lingnan

The First Tower of Lingnan is a National Key Cultural Relics Protection Unit.

The First Tower of Lingnan, also known as the Bell-Prohibition Tower due to the Ming Dynasty bronze bell hanging inside, is located behind the main hall of the Five Immortals Temple on Huifu West Road in Guangzhou. It was built in the seventh year of the Hongwu era of the Ming Dynasty (1374) by Wang Guangyang, the Provincial Administrative Vice Commissioner. Later destroyed, it was rebuilt during the Wanli era, and the current wooden structure on the upper floor dates back to the 53rd year of the Qianlong era of the Qing Dynasty (1788). The renowned Qing Dynasty poet Qu Dajun referred to it as one of the Four Grand Towers, along with Zhenhai Tower, Haishan Tower, and Gongbei Tower.

The bell tower faces south and has a total height of 17 meters. The first floor features a base constructed from red sandstone, which remains from the Ming Dynasty. It measures 13.9 meters in width, 11.9 meters in depth, and 6.8 meters in height, with a wide 3.8-meter by 5.7-meter arched doorway in the center, running through from front to back.

The second floor is a wooden structure, open on all sides, with a double-eaved hip-and-gable roof and an ornamental ridge adorned with a mythical turtle and precious bead. It is three bays wide (11.8 meters) and three bays deep (39.73 meters), using 13 beams supported by four pillars. The beams and columns are made of thick, coarse materials, giving the structure a simple and rustic style. The bottom of the main beam is inscribed with regular script characters reading “Erected in the winter month of the 53rd year of the Qianlong reign of the Great Qing, a propitious day” and “Donated and rebuilt.”

Hanging in the center of the second floor is a large Ming Dynasty bronze bell weighing approximately 5,000 kilograms. The body of the bell is cast with 31 seal script characters: “Cast by the Guangdong Provincial Administration Commission in the 11th year of the Hongwu era of the Great Ming, 18th day of the first lunar month, Year of Wuwu, Xinmao.” These characters are raised. Below the bell, a square shaft connects down to the doorway, forming a massive resonator. This ingenious design not only amplifies the bell’s loud and melodious sound but also enhances its acoustic projection. When struck, its sound can be heard “ten li away,” making it the largest ancient bronze bell still existing in the province.

In June 1989, it was designated as a Cultural Relics Protection Unit by the People's Government of Guangdong Province.