First Tower Under Heaven

Yueyang Tower also referred to as the first tower under heaven is an absolutely beautiful place to visit and is steeped in a rich history and culture. It is situated in the city of Yueyang, Hunan province on the shores of Dongting Lake. History: The original Yueyang Tower was built and impressive 1700 years ago and was visited by famous scholars such as Li Bai and Du Fu. The original tower rebuilt during the Qing Dynasty, still boasts an impressive 150 years of history. It is consider one of the Three Great Towers. Although the main attraction of Yueyang Tower is the tower itself, there are some smaller pavilions near the tower. It’s a great place to take pictures and to learn about Chinese history and architecture. The special architectural features of the Yueyang Tower such as the shape (in the form of a general’s helmet) make it truly unique. I enjoyed my time walking around the grounds, the adjacent square and beside Dongting lake. Size: 39,000 sq.m Price: 70RMB Buses: Take bus No. 15, 19, 31, 50 or Y2 and get off at Yueyanglou Gongyuan Station. Interesting Fact: If you can recite the poem “Memorial to Yueyang Tower” written by Fan Zhongyan you can get free entry on holidays.