📍Guiyang Jiaxiu Tower

Jiaxiu Tower, located by the Nanming River in Guiyang, Guizhou Province.
Built in the twenty-sixth year of the Ming Wanli period (1598)
It is a landmark building in Guiyang.
It is also one of the symbols of Guizhou culture.
The name "Jiaxiu" is derived from the meaning of "the excellence of the imperial examination."
It embodies the beautiful aspirations of scholars to achieve success and stand out with their talents. Jiaxiu Tower is a three-story wooden structure with flying eaves and upward-turned corners.
Carved beams and painted rafters connect with the Floating Jade Bridge and the Cuiwei Pavilion.
Composing an ancient and elegant painting of Central Guizhou.
Designated as a national key cultural relic protection unit in 2006

The history of Jiaxiu Tower is closely linked to the cultural development of Guiyang. During the Ming Dynasty, Guiyang served as the political center of Guizhou, and Jiaxiu Tower was not only a gathering place for scholars and literati to compose poetry but also a symbol of praying for success in the imperial examination. The couplets and inscriptions written by famous scholars from the Qing Dynasty preserved within the tower record the flourishing literary heritage of the Qian region. The surrounding Nanming River flows crystal clear, with ancient trees lining the riverbank, showcasing the natural philosophy of "harmony between heaven and humanity" in Qian. Jiaxiu Tower also integrates with Guiyang's red culture, as the nearby area was once an important site for revolutionary activities, embodying the spirit of the Guizhou people in their pursuit of progress.

The cultural connotation of Jiaxiu Tower is profound, blending the inclusiveness of Bashu culture with the liveliness of Guizhou's local customs. It is not only a gem of architectural art but also a symbol of the aspirations and wisdom of scholars in central Guizhou. The couplet inside the tower, which states "taking the world as one's own responsibility," highlights the feelings of patriotism among Guizhou's literati. The surrounding night market of Jiaxiu Tower is bustling, with the enticing aromas of Guizhou dishes like Huaxi beef rice noodles and silk dolls, attracting tourists to experience the local flavor of Guiyang. With its historical depth and cultural atmosphere, Jiaxiu Tower has become the core of Guiyang's "Shuāng Shuāng" culture, embodying the people's longing for a better life and their heritage.

Jiaxiu Tower

Jiaxiu Tower, perched on the Nanming River in Guiyang, Guizhou Province, was built in 1598 during the Ming Dynasty’s Wanli era. A landmark of Guiyang and a symbol of Guizhou’s culture, its name “Jiaxiu,” meaning “outstanding scholars,” reflects aspirations for academic success and intellectual brilliance. This three-story wooden pavilion, with its upturned eaves and ornate beams, connects to the Fuyu Bridge and Cuiwei Pavilion, forming a graceful tableau of Guizhou’s aesthetic heritage. In 2006, it was designated a national key cultural relic protection site.

Jiaxiu Tower is deeply intertwined with Guiyang’s cultural evolution. During the Ming Dynasty, as Guizhou’s political center, the tower served as a gathering place for scholars to compose poetry and pray for success in imperial examinations. Its preserved Qing Dynasty couplets and stone inscriptions chronicle the flourishing of Guizhou’s literary tradition. Surrounded by the clear Nanming River and ancient trees, the tower embodies the Guizhou philosophy of harmony between humanity and nature. Its proximity to sites of revolutionary activity further ties it to Guizhou’s progressive spirit.

The cultural significance of Jiaxiu Tower blends the inclusivity of Bashu culture with the vibrant charm of Guizhou’s heritage. Beyond its architectural splendor, it symbolizes the aspirations and wisdom of Guizhou’s scholars. The couplet inside, urging one to “take the world as one’s responsibility,” reflects the region’s intellectual and patriotic ethos. The surrounding night markets bustle with life, offering Guizhou delicacies like Huaxi beef noodle soup and silk dolls, immersing visitors in Guiyang’s lively culture. Jiaxiu Tower, with its historical depth and humanistic allure, stands as a cornerstone of Guiyang’s “refreshing” identity, embodying the people’s pursuit of beauty and cultural continuity.

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