The Yuejiang Tower Scenic Spot is located in the northwest of Nanjing and overlooks the Yangtze River on the north. There are in it over 30 historical remains including the Yuejiang Tower, Wanxian Pavilion, Ancient Barbettes, Dizang Temple, Five-Color Earth and Jinghai Temple. It’s a tourist resort enjoying nationwide renown for its integrating humane and natural landscape into one organic whole and a tourist scenic sport of AAAA class of the state.
Being originally named the Lulong Hill, Mount Lion is 78m in height and 2 kilometers in circumference and is highly praised for its Magnificent Appearance of a Lion. It is therefore chosen as one of the Forty-Eight Famous Scenic Spots of Nanjing. It was Zhu Yuanzhang, Emperor Taizu of the Ming Dynasty who changed the name of Lulong Hill into Mount Lion and ordered the Yujiang Tower to be built on its top. He himself wrote the Ode to the Yuejiang Tower and then ordered each of the civil officials to write an article bearing the same title. The one written by Song Lian, Grand Secretary in position, was appraised as the best and afterwards incorporated in the Best Ancient Poses of China. The tower, however, failed to be built due to various reasons.
The existing Yuejiang Tower was completed and opened to visitors in 2001, which marked the end of the history of the tower’s only existing in literary description. Being 52m high and of 5 storeys (4 visible storeys and 3 hidden ones), the Yuejiang Tower boasts of glazed tiles, red columns, towering eave projection, color curtains with the pattern of flying phoenixes and red painted doors. Thanks to its typical building style of the Ming Dynasty and classical grandeur of the royal family, it has become one of the Four Most Famous Towers South of the Yangtze River.
The theme which the buildings and exhibits of the Yuejiang Tower display to the visitors is the Ming culture. It can be divided into three major parts i.e. unification, opening to the outside world and development. The exhibits in this respect include the statues of the 16 emperors and the territorial map of the Ming Dynasty. Besides there are shown in the scenic spot the porcelain drawing. Panorama of Zheng He’s Fleet Sailing Westwards, the double-faced embroidery The Four Most Famous Towers South of the Yangtze River, the white marble carving of the Ode to the Yuejiang Tower, the Yuejiang Tower Bronze Tripods and the relief sculpture River View from Mount Lion which are the greatest in size among all the similar things of their respective kinds in China are creative in conception, exquisite in workmanship, unique in characteristics, fully embodying the long history and rich cultural deposit of the Yuejiang Tower.
Looking far into the distance and commanding the whole view of the mighty Yangtze River on the Yuejiang Tower, you will feel completely carefree and extremely joyful. And when you turn back, you’ll have a panorama view of beautiful Nanjing.