Climbing Yellow Crane Tower

Yellow Crane Tower, one of the three famous towers in Jiangnan, China, is a national 5A-level tourist attraction and a landmark building in Wuhan. It is known as one of the "Three Famous Scenic Spots of Wuhan" along with Qingchuan Pavilion and Guqin Terrace. The original site of Yellow Crane Tower is at Huanghuji on Snake Hill in Wuhan, Hubei. It is said to have been built in the second year of Huangwu during the Wu period of the Three Kingdoms (223 AD). It has been destroyed and rebuilt many times throughout history, with the last destruction occurring in 1884. Famous poets such as Cui Hao, Li Bai, Bai Juyi, and Lu You have all written poems about it. In 1985, it was rebuilt on the west slope of Gaoguan Mountain on Snake Hill. The tower is five stories high (ten layers including mezzanines), standing at 50.4 meters tall, with a main building area of about 4,000 square meters. It has a strong national style and is a steel-reinforced concrete structure designed to resemble ancient architecture. Initially built as a military watchtower in the second year of Huangwu during the Wu period of the Three Kingdoms (223 AD), it lost its military value after the Jin dynasty unified the Three Kingdoms. As Jiangxia City developed, it gradually evolved into a scenic tower frequented by officials and merchants for viewing and banquets. Tang dynasty poet Cui Hao wrote the poem "Yellow Crane Tower" here, and Li Bai wrote "Seeing off Meng Haoran at Yellow Crane Tower," making the tower famous throughout history. According to the Tang dynasty's "Yuanhe County Atlas," Sun Quan first built the old city of Xiakou, "with the west of the city facing the Yangtze River, and the southern corner of the river forming the tower, named Yellow Crane Tower." It was built for military purposes. According to the "Ji En Lu," it was originally an inn opened by the Xin family. By the first year of Tang Yongtai (765 AD), Yellow Crane Tower had taken shape, but due to frequent wars, it was repeatedly built and destroyed, being destroyed seven times and rebuilt ten times during the Ming and Qing dynasties alone. The last tower was built in the seventh year of Tongzhi (1868) and destroyed in the tenth year of Guangxu (1884). The only remaining relic on the site is a bronze-cast tower top from the Qing dynasty. From the Northern Song dynasty to the 1950s, Yellow Crane Tower was also a famous Taoist holy site, where Lü Dongbin preached, practiced, and taught. The "Daozang·Lishi Zhenxian Ti Dao Tongjian" states: "On the twentieth day of the fifth month, Lü Zu ascended to heaven from Yellow Crane Tower at noon, leaving behind a sacred trace." The "Quanzhen Late Altar Lesson Merit Sutra" also mentions the sacred trace left at Yellow Crane Tower. The tower, designed based on the Qing dynasty's "Tongzhi Tower," is located at the top of Snake Hill at an altitude of 61.7 meters. It is five stories high, with a total height of 51.4 meters and a building area of 3,219 square meters. The interior is supported by 72 round columns, and the exterior has 60 eaves extending outward, with the roof covered by over 100,000 yellow glazed tiles. Outside the tower, there are auxiliary buildings such as a bronze-cast yellow crane sculpture, Shengxiang Pagoda, archways, pavilions, and corridors, which enhance the grandeur of the main tower. Surrounding the main tower are buildings like Baiyun Pavilion, Xiang Pagoda, Stele Corridor, and Mountain Gate. The entire complex has a unique national style, exuding the spirit, temperament, and charm of traditional Chinese culture. It complements the Wuhan Yangtze River Bridge at the foot of Snake Hill; from the tower, one can enjoy a panoramic view of the three towns of Wuhan. The name "Yellow Crane Tower" is said to have two origins: one is that the original tower was built on Huanghuji, and people later mispronounced "hu" as "he," leading to the name "Yellow Crane Tower." The other is the legendary story of the "Immortal Yellow Crane." During the Wei, Jin, and Northern and Southern Dynasties, the belief in immortals was prevalent, and the legend of Yellow Crane Tower formed against the backdrop of strange tales focusing on supernatural powers. The earliest record of the immortal riding a crane appears in the writings of Southern Dynasty scientist Zu Chongzhi. His "Shu Yi Ji" mentions the "guest riding a crane," later compiled by Lu Xun in "Ancient Novels Hooked." According to legend, the original site of Yellow Crane Tower was at Huanghuji on Snake Hill in Wuchang, Hubei. It was originally an inn opened by the Xin family. To thank her for her hospitality, a Taoist priest drew a crane on the wall before leaving, saying it could come down and dance for entertainment. From then on, the inn was always full of guests, and business flourished. Ten years later, the Taoist priest returned, played a flute, and rode the yellow crane up to the sky. To commemorate the priest who helped her prosper, Xin built a tower on the site and named it "Yellow Crane Tower." The "Jiangxia County Chronicle" cites the "Bao Ying Lu," which has a similar story. According to the "Bao Ying Lu," a man named Xin made a living by selling wine. One day, a tall but ragged guest came to his house and asked, "Can you give me a cup of wine?" Xin did not neglect him because of his ragged clothes and quickly served a large cup of wine. This continued for half a year, and Xin never showed any sign of weariness despite the guest not paying for the wine. One day, the guest told Xin, "I owe you a lot of wine money, but I have no way to repay you." He then took out an orange peel and drew a crane on the wall. Because the orange peel was yellow, the crane was also yellow. Whenever someone clapped and sang, the yellow crane on the wall would dance to the rhythm. Guests paid to see this marvel, and Xin accumulated a lot of wealth over ten years. One day, the ragged guest returned, and Xin thanked him, saying he was willing to support him and meet all his needs. The guest smiled and replied, "I didn't come for that." He then took out a flute and played a few tunes. Soon, white clouds descended from the sky, and the yellow crane on the wall flew down to the guest. The guest rode the crane and flew up to the sky. To thank and commemorate the guest, Xin used the money he earned over ten years to build a tower on Huanghuji. Initially, it was called "Xin's Tower," but later it became known as "Yellow Crane Tower."