Published on ShanghaiDaily.com (http://www.shanghaidaily.com/)
http://www.shanghaidaily.com/art/2006/02/08/240890/An unknown scenic spot.htm
The leaning Huzhu Baoguang Tower, which was built 920 years ago, fails to lure visitors due to poor promotion and traffic connections. The 20-meter-tall tower in Songjiang District leans 6.85 degrees, the result of treasure hunters digging near the foundation more than 100 years ago. — Fang Yuqiang
An unknown scenic spot
Created: 2006-02-08 CST, Updated: 2006-02-08 CST
AN ancient leaning tower in Italy is one of the most famous tourist sites in Europe, while a similar tower in Songjiang District is unknown to most people in the city and unable to attract visitors.
The Huzhu Baoguang Tower leans at a bigger angle than the Leaning Tower of Pisa, but only about 2,100 people visited the site during the weeklong Spring Festival. By comparison, about 1.76 million people visited the Yuyuan Garden during the holiday.
Located in Tianma Mountain Park, the tower is about 20 meters high, has seven stories, and is inclined about 6.85 degrees.
"It was built about 920 years ago and began to incline after people found coins from the Song Dynasty," said Qian Renyun, manager of the park.
The coins were discovered more than 100 years ago near the foundation of the tower. As word of the coins got out, many people began digging around the foundation in search of treasure, causing the tower to lean, Qian explained.
Qian said a lack of publicity and poor traffic connections have prevented the tower from becoming a scenic spot.
Tianma Mountain is about 40 kilograms from downtown, and no busses run between the tower and the city center.
"I've heard of the leaning tower and think it is really a good place to visit," said June Hu, a white-collar worker. She said she has never visited the site, and doesn't plan to in the near future, however.
"It's too far away and I don't know how to reach there." Admission to the park costs 10 yuan (US$1.2).
The Huzhu Baoguang Tower leans at a bigger angle than the Leaning Tower of Pisa, but only about 2,100 people visited the site during the weeklong Spring Festival. By comparison, about 1.76 million people visited the Yuyuan Garden during the holiday.
Located in Tianma Mountain Park, the tower is about 20 meters high, has seven stories, and is inclined about 6.85 degrees.
"It was built about 920 years ago and began to incline after people found coins from the Song Dynasty," said Qian Renyun, manager of the park.
The coins were discovered more than 100 years ago near the foundation of the tower. As word of the coins got out, many people began digging around the foundation in search of treasure, causing the tower to lean, Qian explained.
Qian said a lack of publicity and poor traffic connections have prevented the tower from becoming a scenic spot.
Tianma Mountain is about 40 kilograms from downtown, and no busses run between the tower and the city center.
"I've heard of the leaning tower and think it is really a good place to visit," said June Hu, a white-collar worker. She said she has never visited the site, and doesn't plan to in the near future, however.
"It's too far away and I don't know how to reach there." Admission to the park costs 10 yuan (US$1.2).
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