Lotus Tower of Panyu

Lotus Tower of Panyu

The Lotus Tower of Panyu is a cultural relic protection unit of Guangdong Province.

The Ming-era Lotus Tower of Panyu, originally named Wenchang Tower, is located on Lotus Mountain in Panyu District, Guangzhou. According to the *Panyu County Annals* from the Qianlong reign of the Qing Dynasty: “During the Ming Dynasty, Pang Duanye and other scholars from Nanhai, including Guo, falsely claimed ownership of the tax mountain, recruited merchants to mine there, damaging the land’s energy and bringing misfortune upon local culture and scholarship. In the 40th year of the Wanli era (1612), local scholars Li Weifeng, Liu Ruxing, Lin Yanshu, Cui Zhixing, and Liang Ying reported the issue to the authorities, leading to the mountain’s closure. A stupa was later rebuilt on the site, now commonly called the Stone Mill Tower.” Because the tower stands prominently at the mouth of the Pearl River, incoming ships used it as a navigational landmark.

The tower has an octagonal floor plan and is built with blue bricks. It is a hollow-core, inwardly winding staircase tower, appearing to have nine stories externally but actually consisting of 11 levels internally, standing 48 meters tall. Each level features projecting balconies and eaves constructed with corbelled brickwork. Columns, beams, and lintels are all painted vermilion red. The first level has an external side length of 3.6 meters and an internal side length of 1.24 meters, with the main entrance facing northwest. Each level slightly tapers in both height and width, with a 0.73-meter-wide internal brick staircase spiraling upward. Ventilation and lighting are provided through openings on each level. Originally, the floors of each level were made of fir wood.

In 1981, Ho Tin and Ho Yin, overseas Chinese brothers residing in Macau, donated funds for the tower’s restoration, which was completed in 1983. Floors were reconstructed on each level. The eaves were fitted with green-glazed tiles, including decorative tile ends and drips, and copper bells were hung beneath the corner beams. The central column was replaced with a reinforced concrete pillar, and iron reproductions of bowls, beads, lotus petals, and a copper gourd finial were recast.

In June 1989, the People's Government of Guangdong Province designated it as a cultural relics protection unit.

Lotus Mountain Community: Lotus Mountain Community…… Detailed information about the Lotus Mountain Community++

Further Reading:

· Third Batch of Guangdong Provincial Cultural Relics Protection Units