The Watchtower of the Five Hundred Li: Grand View Tower and the World's Longest Couplet

The Sentinel of Dianchi Lake

1.Located on the shores of Dianchi: Lake in the southwestern suburbs of Kunming, the Grand View Tower (Daguan Lou) is a masterpiece of classic Chinese architecture and literary history. Nestled within the Grand View Park (Daguan Park), this three-story square tower serves as the premier vantage point for admiring the "Pearl of the Plateau"—Dianchi Lake—and the distant Western Hills (Xishan), which resemble a "Sleeping Beauty" lying upon the water,. Built originally in 1690 during the Kangxi reign of the Qing Dynasty, the tower was named "Grand View" (Daguan) by the provincial surveillance commissioner Wang Jiwen, signifying the magnificent panorama it offers,. It stands as a testament to the cultural elegance of Kunming, blending the natural beauty of the Yunnan-Guizhou Plateau with the refined aesthetics of traditional Chinese gardens,.

The First Long Couplet in the World

2.The soul of the Grand View: Tower lies not just in its architecture, but in the literary treasure hanging at its entrance—the Long Couplet written by the Qing Dynasty scholar Sun Ranweng. Comprising 180 characters, this masterpiece is hailed as the "First Long Couplet in the World" (Hai Nei Di Yi Chang Lian),. The couplet is divided into two parts: the upper scroll describes the breathtaking natural scenery of the "Five Hundred Li of Dianchi Lake," capturing the rolling waves and the misty peaks; the lower scroll reflects on the thousands of years of Yunnan's history, sighing at the rise and fall of heroes and dynasties,. Reading this couplet while gazing out at the lake offers a profound dialogue between nature and history, making it a must-see for cultural travelers,.

A Garden of "Little Jiangnan"

Surrounding the tower is the exquisite Grand View Park, designed in the style of the classical gardens of Jiangnan (Southern China). The park features a harmonious layout of pavilions, terraces, wandering corridors, and arched bridges, creating a scene of "willows brushing the water and flowers blooming in profusion",. Notable spots include the Santang Yingyue (Three Pools Mirroring the Moon), which mimics the famous scenery of West Lake in Hangzhou, and the Cuiyu Hall. In summer, the park transforms into a sea of lotus flowers, while in winter and spring, it becomes a sanctuary for black-headed gulls and a prime spot for viewing the vibrant blooms of the "Spring City",,.

A Panoramic Feast

3.Climbing to the top of the Grand View: Tower offers a visual feast that changes with the weather and time of day. To the east, you can see the modern skyline of Kunming city; to the west, the boundless expanse of Dianchi Lake stretches out to meet the sky, framed by the silhouette of the Western Hills,. Whether it is the golden shimmer of the lake at sunset or the misty, dreamlike atmosphere after a rain, the view from the tower perfectly captures the essence of Kunming's highland aesthetics,.