Yunnan Lansheng Tower

In 1552, during the Jiajing era of the Ming Dynasty, a local magistrate named Qian Bangcheng led his community to dredge a swampy lowland in Mengzi. They piled the excavated mud to form three artificial islands representing the mythical immortal mountains of Penglai, Yingzhou, and Fangzhang. This water body, historically called Caohu or Xuehai, became Nanhu, or South Lake. Over the centuries, Qing Dynasty builders expanded the waters, laying the groundwork for the classical Chinese garden structure known as the Lansheng Tower.

The tower stands directly in the water, anchoring a spatial pattern of three islands and six bridges. Visitors walk along rough stone pathways and willow-lined banks to reach the structure. It connects four small islands. The architecture features smooth painted timber columns, covered corridors, and open viewing platforms. High on the tower hangs a horizontal plaque with gold lettering brushed against a red background. The bold, powerful strokes of the characters were painted by the Yunnan calligrapher Yang Xiupin.

In 1938, during the Second Sino-Japanese War, the National Southwest Associated University established a branch in Mengzi. Prominent intellectuals, including Wen Yiduo, Chen Yinke, and Zhu Ziqing, lived near the lake. They walked these shores, watched the water, and founded the Nanhu Poetry Society. Their presence added a deep literary layer to the island pavilions.

A major government renovation in 1988 restored the lakeside pavilions and bridges, preserving this historic landscape. Today, the tower remains a scenic lookout, offering panoramic views of the lake and the Mengzi urban skyline. By day, the tower hosts cultural festivals and traditional Hanfu-themed water weddings, where decorated flower boats glide across the water. At night, lights illuminate the timber frame, casting a bright reflection on the dark surface of the lake.