Jiaxiu Pavilion, a three-storey Ming dynasty tower perched on a boulder in the Nanming River, is the most photographed building in Guiyang and has been the symbol of the city for four centuries. The tower stands 20 metres high and is connected to both riverbanks by the Fuyu Bridge, a 90-metre stone arch bridge that predates the pavilion itself. The ensemble — tower, bridge, river, and the surrounding older buildings — is Guiyang at its most atmospheric, particularly in the evening when the pavilion is lit and reflected in the water.
The current structure is a reconstruction; the pavilion has been rebuilt six times since 1598, most recently in 1981. Inside, the three floors contain historical exhibits about the tower and a collection of calligraphy. The top floor gives a reasonable view over the Nanming River and the surrounding Nanming District. Admission is a few yuan and the walk across the bridge and around the base of the boulder is free. Come at dusk when the illuminated tower is at its most photogenic.