Zigzag Escalator About 40 Meters Long
On Site: Zigzag Escalator About 40 Meters Long
This escalator is located on the mountainside uphill from the east gate of the Yuejiang Tower scenic area, at a place called the East Gate Mid-Mountain Parking Lot, right beside a winding mountain path — this is where the escalator is situated. The escalator is divided into three sections, each about 13 meters long, with gentle transition zones between the sections, making the total length approximately 40 meters. Currently, the installation work is basically complete and it can be put into use at any time. No workers were seen on site. A scenic area manager said the elevator is almost finished, but since some supporting facilities are not yet completed, it will still be some time before it’s operational.
The escalator generally follows the contour of the mountain, with only slight leveling work done, so overall, its impact on the mountain’s terrain is minimal. The trees on both sides of the elevator remain intact, and in some areas, the grass has not been touched either. It’s clear that careful consideration went into selecting the location, and construction was carried out with caution.
“The surrounding area is dotted with tall trees, and once spring comes and they’re full of leaves, the escalator will be pretty much hidden among them and not very visible from afar,” said a scenic area official. Right now, because it’s newly built and it’s winter with all the leaves gone, the escalator is easily visible from the parking lot. Fortunately, the terrain here happens to have the same “zigzag” shape as the escalator, allowing it to follow the natural rise — a rather fitting combination.
Scenic Area: All Procedures Are in Place, Can Form a Tourist Loop
So, was the construction of an escalator in such a scenic spot approved through the proper channels? The reporter contacted Qiu, the director of the Yuejiang Tower scenic area, who said all procedures are completely in order — the relevant environmental assessments and construction approval documents were obtained as early as May last year.
According to the project description for Yuejiang Tower, there is indeed such a supporting project: the installation of an escalator at the east gate entrance. However, the project was initially described as being about 120 meters long — so why is it only about 40 meters now? Director Qiu said the person in charge of the specific project is currently on leave and unavailable for contact. Since Lion Mountain, where the scenic area is located, is only about 70 meters high, an escalator lifting visitors up by over 40 meters is sufficient upon entering the area. Perhaps building from the bottom would require that length, but starting from the mid-mountain, this 40-meter-long escalator gets the job done.
“Vehicles can drive to the mid-mountain parking lot on the east side of the scenic area, where visitors can get off and take the escalator directly to the mountaintop to visit attractions such as the Sun Yat-sen Yuejiang Pavilion and Yuejiang Tower. Then, visitors can descend via the western road and continue to visit the Tianfei Palace and Jinghai Temple,” Director Qiu explained. In this way, a tourist loop is formed, connecting several attractions in Xiaguan, and the escalator not only makes it easier for visitors to go uphill but also saves energy for those exploring the lower areas.
Director Qiu said the feasibility report, environmental assessment, and related evaluation procedures for the escalator were all complete. After public notice, construction began in August last year and was only recently mostly finished. Currently, some supporting works still need to be completed, and once those are done, the escalator can be put into use.
Regarding this, an insider familiar with the situation said that the original plan may have been to build the escalator from the mountain foot to the top, spanning 120 meters in total. Later, possibly due to concerns about damaging the original landscape and strong opposition from the public, a compromise solution was adopted — building from the mid-mountain to make it convenient for visitors without causing too much impact on the scenery. When asked for details, Director Qiu said the person in charge of the project could not be reached at the moment and that inquiries would have to wait until after the holidays.
Visitors: Classical-Style Scenic Spot with Modern Escalator Feels Odd
Over 600 years ago, the Lion Mountain gained fame thanks to the “Yuejiang Tower Record” written by Zhu Yuanzhang, the founding emperor of the Ming Dynasty, and several scholars. For centuries, the Yuejiang Tower on Lion Mountain remained a regret due to having the record but no actual tower. In 2001, Nanjing invested heavily to build the Yuejiang Tower, which quickly became a famous tourist attraction. For this historic site rich in cultural heritage, the sudden appearance of a modern escalator has left many visitors unimpressed, with some expressing disapproval.
A visitor surnamed Wu told the reporter that there are already multiple ways to reach the mountaintop of Yuejiang Tower, especially climbing the steps — enjoying the walk, sights, and experience along the way is great. Building an escalator feels somewhat out of place. “It feels like walking around in a mall — very odd,” Mr. Wu said. Some visitors said that even building a wooden boardwalk would be better than the escalator, as it could blend in with the scenery, whereas the cold, stainless steel escalator ruins the original historical and cultural atmosphere.
Some other visitors said that climbing Yuejiang Tower is quite tiring, especially for the elderly, those with mobility issues, or people carrying children. Having an escalator really makes things more convenient and the visit much more relaxing.