Liwan Taihua Tower

Liwan Taihua Tower

Liwan Taihua Tower is located at No. 27 Duobao Fang, Enning Road, Liwan District.

Taihua Tower was the study of Li Wentian, a top imperial scholar (Tan Hua) during the Xianfeng era of the Qing Dynasty. It got its name from housing early rubbings of the “Dongyue Taishan Stele” and the “Xiyue Huashan Temple Stele.” Later, Chen Li inscribed a plaque with the name “Taihua Tower.” The tower has a garden gate facing east and features a flush-gable roof. The interior includes the study rooms and a courtyard, where rockeries and planted flowers and trees can be found. The study itself faces south, is three bays wide, and has a flush-gable roof built with blue bricks. It was rebuilt in 1988 in the original style and form.

Li Wentian was the top imperial scholar (Tan Hua) in the ninth year of the Xianfeng era (1859) of the Qing Dynasty. He served as Vice Minister of Rites and concurrently Vice Minister of Works, and participated in the affairs of the Grand Council. He supported Liu Yongfu’s resistance against the French, and was enthusiastic about water conservancy projects in his native Guangdong. He raised funds to repair dikes such as the Shijiao Weir in Qingyuan, the Dalu Weir in Sanshui, and the Huatian Weir.

In August 1993, it was designated as part of the fourth batch of Guangzhou Municipal Cultural Relics Protection Units by the Guangzhou Municipal People's Government.

Further reading:

· Fourth Batch of Guangzhou Municipal Cultural Relics Protection Units