The original Tower of the Eight Poems (Bayong Lou) in the north of the city was erected in 494 at the instigation of the prefect Shen Yue, who on completion of the building climbed to the top of the tower and recited eight poems. Since then it has been a meeting-place for literati.
The present-day building was rebuilt during the Qing period (1644-1911) as a faithful replica of the original.
From the tower there is a fine view across the city and the surrounding area.
The Grotto of the Two Dragons (Shuanglong Dong) lies on the slopes of the North Mountain (Beishan), 15km/9mi north of the city. At the entrance there are two massive stalagmites which have the shape of a dragon's head.
The grotto is divided into two parts, an outer and an inner, 1200m/.75mi and 2100m/1.25 long respectively, which are connected by a narrow 12m/40ft long channel. As the grotto is under water, visitors travel in a small boat.
The Grotto of Homage to the True Immortals (Chaozhen Dong) lies 1km/.5mi further up from the Grotto of the Ice Vase, concealed between the rocks.
According to a legend a Taoist hermit, who is purported to have lived here, by practicing alchemy over a number of years, successfully attained immortality.
The 50m/164ft long Grotto of the Ice Vase (Binghu Dong) lies 200m/600ft further up from the Grotto of the Two Dragons. It owes its name to its shape, which calls to mind a vase, and the low temperatures which are to be found here even on warm days.
In the middle of the grotto the visitor will be astonished to see a small 20m/66ft high waterfall which disappears between clefts in the rocks.
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