Guanque Tower

Standing on the Yellow River's east bank in Puzhou Ancient City, Yongji, Guanque Tower spans 2.064 square kilometers. First built during the Northern Zhou Dynasty (about 557-580 AD), war destroyed it in 1222 (Yuan Dynasty). Workers began rebuilding it in December 1997. It opened to the public on October 1, 2002.

Highlights of Guanque Tower

Architectural Grandeur

The Guangque Tower is a three - story, four - eaved Tang - style building, reaching 73.9 meters high. It follows traditional Chinese architecture, featuring upturned eaves and red columns, which lends a solemn and elegant feel. Builders chose materials and techniques carefully to copy ancient craftsmanship. The eaves have detailed carvings, and the whole structure is made to last. Inside, the layout is neat—each floor has its own use. The first floor often shows historical exhibits about the tower and the local area; upper floors offer better views.

Breathtaking Panoramic Views

From the top floor, you see the tower's best feature: wide views all around. The Yellow River curves like a shining ribbon below, feeding the land full of life and inspiring people. To the south stand the tall Zhongtiao Mountains with green slopes. Spring brings flower fields and new green growth. Autumn turns trees red and gold. For ages, this beautiful sight has sparked ideas for writers and poets.

Rich Cultural Heritage

Guanque Tower has deep cultural roots dating to the Northern Zhou Dynasty. Scholars and poets gathered here for centuries. Wang Zhihuan's famous poem "Ascending Guanque Tower" made the tower well-known nationwide through its short but meaningful words. Inside, exhibitions often show calligraphy and paintings about the tower and Yellow River. Festival performances like music and dance let visitors experience local culture directly.

Educational Value

The tower was reconstructed to recreate its Tang Dynasty grandeur. Its painted decorations use long-lost Tang-style artistry, revived by China's cultural relics experts through much research. As China's only Tang-era structure restored with real Tang painting techniques, it won the nation's top architecture honors: the Luban Award and Zhan Tianyou Award. This project offers key references for future heritage restoration.

Activities to do at Guanque Tower

Enjoy Panoramic Views：Climb to the top floor to look out over the vast Yellow River winding through the land and distant Zhongtiao Mountains. Take photos of the river, fields, and surrounding scenery—sunrise or sunset gives stunning natural backdrops.