Spring and Autumn Tower, Xuchang of Henan

Spring and Autumn Tower (Chunqiu Lou): Caopi ascended the throne as the head of the Wei Kingdom in Xuchang in 220. The city has abundant historic relics of the Three Kingdom Period.

Spring and Autumn Tower

It is situated in the center of Henan Province, neighboring Zhoukou in the east, Pingdingshan in the west and Luohe in the south. The capital city of the province, Zhengzhou lies 80 kilometers (50 miles) north of the city and it was also the headstream of the ancient Xu Kingdom in Western Zhou Dynasty (11th century BC - 771 BC) and the Wei Kingdom in the Three Kingdoms Period (220-280). The name of Xuchang initiated in 221 when the city was under the reign of the Wei Kingdom.

The Spring and Autumn Tower is a Ming and Qing style building complex located in the middle section of the Wenmiao Qian Jie in downtown Xuchang. It was first built during the year of 1271 for the glorious general Guanyu of the Shu Kingdom.

The tower was constructed in 1271 A.D of the Yuan Dynasty and went through many renovations during the Ming and Qing dynasties. It was recorded that in the outer yard, there are the gate, the tower of bell and drum, the Tower of Spring and Autumn, the middle hall, the rear hall. In the inner yard are the Memorial Temple of Guan Yu Family, the Memorial Temple of Queen Zhao Lie, and some auxiliary structures.

The site covers a total area of 20,000 m². In the outer yard are the gate, the Tower of Spring and Autumn, the Hall of Saint Guan, the Tower of Sword and Seal; in the inner yard are the garden-styled buildings including, the residences for Lady Gan and Lady Mi, the Pavilion of Wen’an, the Hall of Gua Yin Feng Jin (it is a Chinese proverb meaning to refuse to take the position offered and leave without notice, usually by hanging the seal and leaving the money bestowed). There are also the Hall of Dacheng, the Gate of Halberd, and the East-West Corridor in the Wen Miao Yard. The newly constructed Hall of Saint Guan has a width of 7 rooms, a depth of 3 rooms, and a total height of 33.1m. It has 3 layers of eaves. On the roof are decorated yellow glazed tiles. The railing is made of white marbles. In the hall, a 13-meter high Guan Yu statue stands with his son and some followers, which is rarely seen across the country.

Address: Wen Miao road, Xuchang city, Henan Province.