Seven stories high it rises. This is the \u7389\u5cf0\u5854. It is also known as the “Great Tower” or “Dingguang Tower”. The \u7389\u5cf0\u5854 stands tall on the main peak of Yuquan Mountain. It resides within Xiangyan Temple.
\u7389\u5cf0\u5854 is one of the “Sixteen Views of Jingming Garden”. The top of the tower is 150 meters above ground. It is the highest tower in Beijing. It is a key national cultural relics protection unit. The \u7389\u5cf0\u5854 is an integral part of Jingming Garden.
Emperor Qianlong of the Qing Dynasty built the \u7389\u5cf0\u5854. During a trip to Jiangnan, the Emperor saw the towering Longevity Tower of Jinshan Temple. The temple was in Zhenjiang. He ordered artists to draw the tower. After returning to Beijing, he had the \u7389\u5cf0\u5854 built on Yuquan Mountain. The tower houses a statue of Dingguang Buddha. Dingguang Buddha is also known as Burning Lamp Buddha. That is why it is also called “Dingguang Tower”.
The \u7389\u5cf0\u5854 underwent significant repairs in 1938. After 1949, Jingming Garden became a state guest house. It was used for state leaders to rest and work. The area is now a military police post. It is not open to the public.
The \u7389\u5cf0\u5854 is an octagonal pavilion-style brick tower. It stands 47.7 meters tall. The entire tower is light apricot yellow. It has seven stories. The tower faces south. The first, third, fifth, and seventh floors have arched doors on all four sides. The other sides have arched carved windows. The doors on the second, fourth, and sixth floors are staggered. This layout prevents cracks in the tower.
Each floor has imitation wood brackets. They support the brick eaves. Bells hang under the eaves. Eight vertical ridges meet at the top. The top has a copper ornament. It is shaped like a gourd and a treasure pearl.
Inside the \u7389\u5cf0\u5854, stone stairs spiral upwards. Each floor has three shrine niches. Emperor Qianlong personally wrote the couplets on both sides of the shrine. Sadly, the handwriting is now weathered and blurred.
The \u7389\u5cf0\u5854 was modeled after Jinshan Temple’s Longevity Tower. It incorporates northern climate and geography. The tower lacks the Longevity Tower’s railings. The eaves on each floor are shorter. This helps it withstand the strong northern winds.
The \u7389\u5cf0\u5854’s reflection creates a beautiful view. The tower reflects on Yuquan and Kunming Lake. This forms one of Jingming Garden’s sixteen views. Emperor Qianlong named this view “Jade Peak Tower Shadow”. He even wrote a poem about it.
Interestingly, the poem describes a nine-story tower. The current \u7389\u5cf0\u5854 only has seven stories. Was the emperor mistaken? Or was the tower rebuilt later? No one knows for sure.
Thus, the \u7389\u5cf0\u5854 stands as a testament to imperial vision. It blends southern inspiration with northern resilience. It also creates a lasting image. It reflects on water. It sparks questions. It captivates all who gaze upon it.