This attraction introduction is compiled from historical materials in the "Zhangjiajie Tour Guide Network" (33519.com · Scenic Spots section). Ticket prices, opening hours, transportation, and contact information mentioned in the text may be outdated. Please refer to the latest official announcements from the scenic area before traveling; some content consists of historical background/cultural introductions and is for reference only.
Lingyun Tower is located at the top of Qinglu Mountain in the northeast of the urban area, overlooking the Leishui River to the east. Also known as Qinglu Tower or Qinglong Tower, it was built in the 58th year of the Kangxi reign of the Qing dynasty (1719). The tower is seven stories and 31 meters tall, constructed entirely of bluestone and blue bricks. The top is an iron hollow gourd, and the doors, windows, and eaves are dome-shaped, with relief carvings of figures, clouds, and auspicious beasts. The mountain is high and the tower is tall; climbing the tower and gazing into the distance, the entire county's scenery is taken in at a glance. A couplet reads: 'Boats small as pine nuts, weave brocade across the river; the tower tip like a brush, writes the world's essays upside down.' Now the Xiang-Lei Expressway connector passes in front of the tower, making transportation extremely convenient.
Legend has it that when Taishang Laojun inspected the mortal world, the Jade Emperor told him to 'scatter treasures in all directions.' He misheard it as 'scatter treasures in Leiyang,' and thus caused a large number of talented people to emerge in Leiyang. The treacherous official Magistrate Zhang feared that if this continued, he would lose his position. To suppress Leiyang's auspicious energy, he first had to subdue the green dragon that protected Leiyang day and night. So he forced laborers to build a tower to press down on the dragon's neck. But the green dragon turned over and toppled the tower. With no other option, he inquired everywhere and borrowed a divine book from a sorcerer. Each character in the book weighed a thousand catties, and thus the green dragon was crushed to death by this divine book, and the 'Qinglong Tower' was built.
