Jieyang Tower is a Han-style building located in Jieyang city, Guangdong Province, China. It is constructed according to the theme of the lotus on the water and the waterside city of south of the Five Ridges.[1] It was designed to show the history and the urban plan of Jieyang, so it has become a landmark of Jieyang and a tourist attraction.

Jieyang Tower
揭阳楼
Jieyang Tower is located in Guangdong
Jieyang Tower
Location in Guangdong Province
LocationJieyang City, Guangdong Province, China
Coordinates23°34′04″N 116°23′13″E / 23.5677°N 116.3869°E / 23.5677; 116.3869
Site notes
Websitewww.jynews.net/Item/254560_2.aspx
The panorama of Jieyang Tower

Basic information

edit
Chinese Name 揭(Jie 1)阳(Yang 2)楼(Lou 2) English Name Jieyang Tower
Geographic position in the junction of Rongcheng District (榕城区) and Jiedong District (揭东区), Jieyang City, Guangdong Province. Near to Rong Jiang River (榕江) and No. 206 national road Climate Subtropical monsoon climate
Area 300 thousands square meters Height 38 meters[2]

History

edit

The ancient Jieyang Tower was built in the Tang dynasty, located in Chaozhou city, Guangdong province. Poets like Han Yu and Mei Yaocheng wrote about it.[2] However, as time went by, the ancient Jieyang Tower became ruins. In 2010, the government rebuilt it in Jieyang city. and an entrepreneur called Huang Changran (黄畅然) donated 15 million RMB to its reestablishment.[1]

Constituent parts

edit
 
Jieyang Tower Square

Jieyang Tower Square

edit

Jieyang Tower Square, also named Treasure Tripod Square or Prosperity Square, stands for the whole attraction. There is a liparite in the front of the square that weighs 136 tons and comes from Mount Tai. The square is surrounded by 12 polycarpa trees, nine cultural columns, and eight separate cultural walls. These trees provide shady places for visitors and make a contribution to the environment. All of these columns are 9.8 meters high, with a diameter of 1.6 meters. They are covered with embossment of sun, moon, water, fire and people. The arc-shaped arrangement of these columns implicates the theory that man is an integral part of nature. The cultural walls around the square are covered with embossment of the eight most famous attractions in Jieyang.[2] The embossment on the columns and walls shows famous places, famous legends, or the creation of Jieyang. Also, it reflects the sculpture technique of Jieyang. A large painting of a lotus on the floor of the square embodies the theme of the lotus on the water.[2]

 
Bronze Tripod in Jieyang Tower Square

A bronze tripod

edit

A bronze tripod is in the back of the square but in front of the Gate Tower. It is 9.99 meters (32.8 ft) high and weights 58 tons. It is said that this bronze tripod is the biggest and heaviest one in the world[citation needed]. The figure 9.99 sounds like "permanent existence" in Chinese. This tripod embodies Jieyang's permanent existence and lasting political stability.[2]

 
Jieyang Gate Tower
 
Jieyang Gate Tower in nightscape

Han Style Gate Tower

edit

The Han style gate tower is in the east of the square. It is surrounded by a river called Hu Cheng He (护城河. The river separates the Gate Tower from the outside world, which is said to protect the Gate Tower. Also, this arrangement reflects the theme of the waterside city of south of the Five Ridges. The southwest of the Gate Tower is a stone tablet called Taihe (太和碑) on which is an article telling the basic information of Jieyang Tower, Jieyang city as well as the spirit of people in Jieyang. This Gate Tower was built in a Han style. It is 38 meters high and contains 5 storeys. Inside the Gate Tower are a series of museums showing the history of all the periods, architectural styles and folkways of Jieyang.[2]

Culture implication

edit
  • Symbolizes the history of Jieyang, the renaissance of Jieyang culture and the developing economy of the city.[3]
  • Implicates the spirit of generosity and gratitude of the Jieyang people.[4]
  • Attract more literati to make a contribution to Jieyang culture. After the reconstruction was finished, Jieyang Tower appealed to some famous Chinese people like Chen Shaoci (陈少慈) who wrote down a couplet hung on the columns of a hall.[5]

References

edit
  1. ^ a b (2010)义捐1.5亿元重建“揭阳楼”[permanent dead link] Accessed 05.12.2016
  2. ^ a b c d e f (2010)揭阳楼 Accessed 05.12.2016
  3. ^ (2010)从揭阳楼看中艺文化复兴 Accessed 05.12.2016
  4. ^ (2010)中华文化积淀与传承——浅谈揭阳楼的当代文化意义 Accessed 05.12.2016
  5. ^ (2010)秦砖汉瓦揭阳楼 玉璧楹联俱风骚 Accessed 05.12.2016