The 16th Year (1643) of Chongzhen Period

As Zhang Xianzhong’s force was defeated, Zuo Liangyu entered the city leading his army. Consequently, the tower was destroyed by the flames of war.

The 24th Year (1596) of Wanli Period

Sun Chengrong, New Head of Wuchang Prefect, compiled A Collection of Poetry and Prose on Yellow Crane Tower. Later Ren Jiaxiang made some supplements. The final 3-volume anthology features nearly 400 pieces by 210 scholars through the ages. It is ranked among the important sources in academic research on the history of the tower. Early Ming times and later Zhengde Period witnessed the coming of another two anthologies. But it’s a pity that both had been lost.

The 5th Year (1571) of Longqing Period

Censor-in-chief Liu Que inspected Hubei and Hunan. During his trip, Liu presided over the reconstruction project of the tower.

The 45th Year (1566) of Jiajing Period

The tower “was engulfed by a sudden fire.”

Chenghua Period (1465-1487)

As it became “dilapidated over time,”“local clans... donated money and encouraged local people to renovate the tower. Erected by Wu Chen the Censor-in-chief.”

Yongle Period (1403-1424)

Zhu Di, Ming’s Emperor Chengzu, wrote Album of Auspicious Omens Concerning the Supreme Lord of the Dark Heaven. In the album, there is a painting “Woods Sent by the God” that depicts vividly Yellow Crane Tower.

From the 4th Year to the 14th Year (1371-1381) of Hongwu Period

Zhou Dexing, Duke of Jiangxia, presided over the massive expansion of Wuchang. Consequently, the tower got rebuilt during that process.