Star Tower

City wall of Pingyao, Shanxi

This tower, also seen on the previous page, is special: it was erected for a state visit by the emperor Kangxi and was dedicated to Kuixing, the star deity and patron god of scholars who were sitting for the imperial examinations. One can imagine the emperor, if he was so minded, climbing up to the observation pavilion for an extensive view of the city, its defences, and the surrounding territory.