Qihe Tower in Shiping County, Honghe
Overview
Qihe Tower (企鹤楼) is located within Shiping No.1 Middle School (石屏一中) in Yilong Town (异龙镇), Shiping County (石屏县), Honghe Hani and Yi Autonomous Prefecture (红河哈尼族彝族自治州), Yunnan Province (云南省). The site covers an area of approximately 29,805 square meters and is a historic building complex from the Republic of China era.
Architectural Features
The Qihe Tower complex consists of several structures, including the Zhun Ti Pavilion (准提阁), Three Buddhas Hall (三佛殿), a stone arch bridge (石拱桥), a fountain pond (喷珠池), Qihe Tower itself, the main gate (大门), secondary gate (二门), wing rooms (厢房), and a stele pavilion (碑亭). Built upon the Zhun Ti Pavilion, Qihe Tower is flanked by the Zhun Ti Pavilion and Three Buddhas Hall, with additional buildings surrounding it. This layout creates two main courtyards that serve as dormitories and classrooms for students.
The tower was constructed to honor Mr. Chen Heting (陈鹤亭) for his significant contributions to local education. It features both traditional Chinese and Western architectural styles, showcasing remarkable craftsmanship and historical value.
In May 2006, Qihe Tower was recognized as a key cultural heritage site by the State Council of the People’s Republic of China.
Historical Development
- In the seventh year of the Tongzhi reign (1868), the Zhun Ti Pavilion was rebuilt.
- Qihe Tower was first constructed in the twelfth year of the Republic of China (1923) and completed in the eighteenth year (1929), initially named Shiping County Middle School (石屏县立中学).
- It was renamed Yunnan Province Shiping Middle School (云南省石屏中学校) in the twenty-second year (1933) and later became Yunnan Provincial Normal School (云南省立师范学校) in the twenty-eighth year (1939).
- In 1952, it was transformed into Shiping County No. 1 Middle School (石屏县第一中学).
In December 2014, the cultural bureau of Shiping County completed various assessments and documentation for the site. By March 2015, renovation plans were finalized, and in April 2015, the plans were approved by the National Cultural Heritage Administration.
Architectural Layout
Qihe Tower occupies an area of about 29,805 square meters, with a building area of around 13,982 square meters. The entire complex consists of the Zhun Ti Pavilion, Three Buddhas Hall, stone arch bridge, fountain pond, Qihe Tower, main and secondary gates, wing rooms, and stele pavilion.
Main Structures
- Main Gate (大门): Built of brick and stone with a symmetrical design featuring a stone arch and iron gates. It displays the inscription “County Middle School” and a stone plaque reading “Jiahui Shilin” by Governor Tang Jiyao (唐继尧).
- Secondary Gate (二门): Similar in structure to the main gate, it features an inscription “Cultivating Talents” and acknowledges donations made for its construction.
- Stele Pavilion (碑坊): This entrance structure includes three stone tablets detailing the school’s history and contributions.
- Qihe Tower: This central structure features a four-tiered roof, with intricately designed eaves and a circular window pattern.
- Fountain Pond (喷珠池): Located north of the tower, it is surrounded by a brick wall and is adorned with a stone bridge.
- Three Buddhas Hall (三佛殿): A traditional hall featuring a combination of architectural styles.
Cultural Significance
Qihe Tower showcases a harmonious blend of traditional Chinese and Western architectural styles, holding significant historical, scientific, and artistic value.
How to Get There
Qihe Tower is approximately 107.6 kilometers from the People’s Government of Shiping County. It takes about 1 hour and 25 minutes to drive there.
Travel Tips
- Best Time to Visit: Spring and autumn are ideal for pleasant weather.
- Local Accommodations: Limited options are available; budget hotels range from 100 to 180 RMB, while hostels cost between 10 and 50 RMB.
- Transportation: Public buses run frequently within Shiping County, and taxis are available for local transport.
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