The Number One Tower in the World

Yueyang Tower, located on Beilu in Yueyanglou District, Yueyang City, Hunan Province, sits atop the western gate wall of the ancient city of Yueyang. Yueyang Tower is one of China's top ten famous historical and cultural towers, and also one of the three great towers south of the Yangtze River. The construction of Yueyang Tower began in the 20th year of Jian'an during the Eastern Han Dynasty, and it has been rebuilt many times throughout the dynasties. The current structure was reconstructed in the sixth year of the Guangxu era of the Qing Dynasty. Yueyang Tower became famous due to the Northern Song Dynasty's Teng Zongliang's reconstruction and Fan Zhongyan's composition of 'Memorial to Yueyang Tower', earning the reputation of 'Dongting has the best water in the world, Yueyang has the best tower in the world'. It is known as the 'Number One Tower in the World' and, along with Yellow Crane Tower and Pavilion of Prince Teng, is one of the 'Three Great Towers South of the Yangtze River'. Yueyang Tower flourished during the Tang Dynasty, prospered in the Song Dynasty, and still retains the functions of a military tower, a city gate tower, and a sightseeing tower.