8 interesting facts about the Porcelain Tower Of Nanjing

1. Porcelain Tower was octagonal in shape at the base and the top of its roof was marked by a golden sphere.
2. Porcelain Tower of Nanjing was designed by the Chinese Emperor Yongle, shortly before its construction in the 15th century.
3. Porcelain Tower was one of the tallest buildings in China, when it was constructed.
4. Also known as the 'Temple of Gratitude', the tower is one of the most notable archeological and historical sites in China.
5. With its nine stories, the tower went up to a height of 260 feet, at the time it was built. One had to climb 130 steps of the spiral staircase, built in the middle of the tower, to reach the top floor.
6. During the nighttime, Porcelain Tower was illuminated with over 100 lamps hung from the building, with a golden sphere on the top of it to give a stunning appearance.
7. The Tower was built using white porcelain bricks, which reflected the sun rays during daytime and thus, helped the tower to stay cool.
8. The porcelain bricks of the Tower were adorned with glazes and stoneware that created a blend of green, yellow, white and brown designs on the sides, depicting the images of animals, flowers and landscapes.