In 1374, Emperor Hongwu decided to build the Yuejiang Tower. Unfortunately, the construction was soon suspended indefinitely and the tower existed only on paper for over 600 years. Construction finally began in 1999 and it was opened to the public in 2001.
Alex and I are on th.. steps of the tower.
|
This is a view of the wall/bridge from the other side.
DSC_1144
|
One of the walkways between the millions of steps to get to the tower. I wasn't able to find any information on exactly how many steps there were, so I'm making up my own numbers.
DSC_1152
|
There were A LOT of steps to get to the tower. These were the first ones. The boys weren't moving as fast when we got to the third and fourth tier of them.
DSC_1146
|
There were a lot of cool architectural elements on the way to the tower, which was good because it gave us a reason to stop and rest.
DSC_1155
|
This is a view of the "gift shop" and city wall from one of the levels leading up to the tower.
DSC_1153
|
This "bridge" is actually party of the Nanjing city wall. The building that sits on top is a gift shop now. I'm sure it was something much cooler a long time ago.
DSC_1141
|
DSC_1159
|
The tower is over 170 feet tall and has seven floors, most with balconies that you can walk out on.
DSC_1160
|
A pagoda next to the tower.
DSC_1168
|
The elevator inside the tower was out of order. So we got to walk more steps. Yay!
DSC_1178
|
On the first floor there were several walls holding pictures and descriptions of each of the Chinese emperors.
DSC_1179
|
The architecture and wall paintings were really spectacular. This one was two floors high.
DSC_1181
|
DSC_1182
|
DSC_1185
|
The dragon on the ceiling of the tower is 24K pure gold. Portions of the top of the tower are also said to have gold in them.
DSC_1187
|
Made out of rosewood, this table is carved with one hundred lions in it. It was quite impressive.
DSC_1186
|
DSC_1188
|
DSC_1193
|
This was one of the most spectacular things I've ever seen. It was a depiction of the four famous towers in Nanjing done in double-faced embroidery. It was hand-stitched and the front and back were mirror images of one another.
DSC_1194
|
A knight in one of the hallways inside the tower.
DSC_1201
|
The boys running on the city wall with the Yuejiang Tower on in the distance.
DSC_1248
|
Another view of the tower.
DSC_1224
|
Another pagoda.
DSC_1222
|
