Jiaxiu Tower commands the world from its soaring eaves; its shadow graces the land with elegance

Jiaxiu Tower was first built in the 26th year of the Wanli era of the Ming Dynasty, and it has a history of more than 400 years. During the Wanli era, the governor of Jiangdong built a dike to connect the south bank and constructed a building to cultivate feng shui, named 'Jiaxiu,' meaning 'outstanding in imperial examinations.' The Floating Jade Bridge connects the two banks. Jiaxiu Tower is a three-story pavilion with triple eaves and a unique pyramidal roof with four corners, a structure that is unparalleled in the history of ancient Chinese architecture. With its soaring eaves and upturned corners supported by 12 stone pillars, and surrounded by white sculpted stone balustrades, it stands proudly, resembling a scene from a painting. Climbing the tower, one can see the surrounding scenery in great detail. The Floating Jade Bridge, like a white dragon lying on the waves, is more than 90 meters long, passing under the tower and connecting both banks. On the bridge is the Hanbi Pavilion, and beneath it are the Hanbi Pool and the Water Moon Platform, with the Cuiwei Pavilion to the south, all in distant harmony. Jiaxiu Tower is divided into three main parts: the first part is the Floating Jade Bridge; the second part is the main building of Jiaxiu Tower; the third part is Cuiwei Garden. At the head of the Floating Jade Bridge stands a stone and wood archway, with the words 'City South Relics' inscribed in the center, and the Hanbi Pavilion is built on the bridge. The main building, Jiaxiu Tower, features soaring eaves, stone pillars supporting the eaves, and carved balustrades all around. Cuiwei Garden is a group of ancient Ming and Qing buildings composed of Gongnan Pavilion, Cuiwei Pavilion, and Longmen Academy. At the same time, the newly built Guizhou Ethnic Minority Traditional Costume Exhibition Hall has collected and preserved hundreds of traditional costumes, hand-embroidered items, and folk batik from the Miao, Dong, Yi, Shui, Gelao, Tujia, and Buyi ethnic groups of Guizhou Province, which are breathtaking to behold.