Wangu Tower

Wangu Tower (万古楼) is an iconic landmark perched atop Lion Hill (Shizi Shan) in the heart of Lijiang Old Town, Yunnan, China.

Overview

Wangu Tower sits at the highest point of Lion Hill, offering the best panoramic view of Lijiang Ancient Town and a distant vista of the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain (Yulong Xueshan). Its name comes from the Naxi Dongba phrase “Wengulun”, meaning “a place to gaze far and wide from the summit” — phonetically shortened to “Wangu” (万古), which also carries the meaning of “eternity.”

Architectural Highlights

  • Height: 33 meters — symbolizing the 330,000 people of the former Naxi Autonomous County.
  • Structure: A five-story, all-wooden pagoda with 13 upturned eaves, representing the 13 peaks of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain.
  • 16 pillars: Each 22 meters tall, echoing the Naxi creation myth of “nine brothers who opened the sky and seven sisters who split the earth.”
  • Carvings: 2,300 auspicious patterns (representing the 23 ethnic groups in Lijiang) and 9,999 dragon motifs, plus one dragon in the ceiling — totaling 10,000 dragons, hence the name “Wanlong” (万龙 / Ten Thousand Dragons).
It is considered a masterpiece of traditional Chinese dougong (interlocking bracket) timber construction, with a single pillar running through all floors without joints.

What You’ll See

Direction View
North Jade Dragon Snow Mountain (on clear days)
East The tiled rooftops and canals of Lijiang Old Town
West Modern Lijiang New Town
South Rural villages and farmland; in the distance, Wenbi Peak and Wenbi Sea, forming a “scholar’s four treasures” landscape with the old town

Practical Info
Ticket ~¥50 (requires proof of Lijiang Old Town maintenance fee)
Hours ~8:30 – 18:00 (varies by season)
Duration 30 min – 1 hour
Access A 30-minute stone-step hike up from Sifang Street (四方街) through Lion Hill

Tips

  • Best time to visit: Late afternoon / golden hour for photography — warm light on the old town rooftops with snow-capped mountains in the background.
  • Combine with: Mufu Palace (木府) at the foot of the hill, or Black Dragon Pool Park (黑龙潭公园) nearby.
  • Note: Strong UV at high altitude; bring sunscreen and a light jacket for temperature drops.