Yellow Crane Tower

Yellow Crane Tower (Chinese: ; pinyin: Huáng Hè Lóu) is a famous and historic tower, often rebuilt, that stands on Sheshan (Snake Hill), at the bank of Yangtze River in the Wuchang District, of the city of Wuhan, in the Hubei province of central China. Tourists can obtain a fine view of the Yangtze River from the top of the tower. Yellow Crane Tower is considered one of the Four Great Towers of China. In its modern version it has the appearance of an ancient tower but is built of modern materials and includes an elevator. Displays are presented at each level. To the east on the hill, a large temple bell may be struck by tourists for a small fee. During the week-long celebration of China's National Day (October 1st), ethnic and court dances are demonstrated in the western yard.

Legend states that a scholar was standing in the tower, when he saw a crane flying past. He asked to hitch a ride on the crane, which took him to the Celestial Palace, and he was never to be seen again.

It was made famous by a poem written by Cui Hao. 黄鹤楼
昔人已乘黄鹤去，此地空余黄鹤楼。
黄鹤一去不复返，白云千载空悠悠。
晴川历历汉阳树，芳草萋萋鹦鹉洲。
日暮乡关何处是? 烟波江上使人愁。

There is another famous poem about it by Li Bai.

黄鹤楼送盂浩然之广陵
故人西辞黄鹤楼，
烟花三月下扬州。
孤帆远影碧空尽，
唯见长江天际流

which roughly translates to:

My old friend's said goodbye to the west, here at Yellow Crane Tower,
In the third month's cloud of willow blossoms, he's going down to Yangzhou.
The lonely sail is a distant shadow, on the edge of a blue emptiness,
All I see is the Yangtze River flow to the far horizon.

Yellow Crane Tower is also a poem written by Mao Zedong in 1927.

ee also

*Pavilion of Prince Teng