Ancient Charm and Modern Elegance: Exploring the History and Beauty of Jiaxiu Tower in Guiyang

Jiaxiu Tower is a famous ancient building located on the Nanming River in Guiyang, known as the "Southern City Landmark." It stands as a testament to Guiyang's cultural history and serves as a symbol in the development of Guiyang's culture. It was first built in the 26th year of the Wanli period of the Ming Dynasty (1598 AD) with the initial intention of encouraging academic excellence in Guizhou, providing a place for young scholars to study and thus changing the scarcity of talent in the region. Jiaxiu Tower consists of four parts: Fuyu Bridge, Hanbi Pavilion, the main building Jiaxiu Tower, and Cuiwei Garden. The Jiaxiu Tower itself is a three-story, three-eave, four-cornered pavilion with a pointed roof, standing about 22.9 meters high. Its unique architectural structure makes it unparalleled in the history of ancient Chinese architecture. Jiaxiu Tower is not only an ancient building but also a beautiful scenic spot that integrates the beauty of mountains and waters. Inside the tower, there are eight stone inscriptions from the Qing Dynasty, and the long couplet at the entrance, consisting of 174 characters, fully showcases the profound cultural heritage of Jiaxiu Tower. The Fuyu Bridge in front of the tower resembles a white dragon lying on the waves, with the small pavilion "Hanbi Pavilion" on the bridge, the "Hanbi Pool" and "Shuiyue Terrace" under the bridge, and the Cuiwei Pavilion to the south of the bridge, together forming a beautiful picture. Cuiwei Garden is another important part of the Jiaxiu Tower scenic area. Originally known as Nan'an, it is a Suzhou-style garden courtyard from the Ming and Qing Dynasties. This place was once where Wang Yangming lectured, leaving behind many footprints and poems of literati and scholars. Jiaxiu Tower is not only a carrier of historical culture but also a symbol of modern civilization. At night, when the lights first come on, Jiaxiu Tower becomes brilliantly illuminated, becoming a focal point of historical culture and modern civilization, showcasing the spirit of "Jiaxiu Tianxia."