The "Porcelain Tower of Nanjing," first constructed in 1412, has been rebuilt with steel beams near its original location, along with a museum that highlights its former cultural might.
Rebirth of a Medieval wonder —
The "Porcelain Tower of Nanjing," first constructed in 1412, has been rebuilt with steel beams near its original location, along with a museum that highlights its former cultural might.
Courtesy Porcelain Tower Heritage Park
The nine-story pagoda was part of a larger complex called the Bao'en Temple, or "Temple of Gratitude." Small parts of the site's ruins have been preserved since excavation work started in 2007.
Bao'en Temple —
The nine-story pagoda was part of a larger complex called the Bao'en Temple, or "Temple of Gratitude." Small parts of the site's ruins have been preserved since excavation work started in 2007.
Elaine Yu/CNN
Grand new designs are used to evoke the ruins' ancient and culturally significant history.
Modern technology meets ancient culture —
Grand new designs are used to evoke the ruins' ancient and culturally significant history.
Elaine Yu/CNN
The colored lights in this room, called "Sarira Light," change every few seconds.
Sarira Light —
The colored lights in this room, called "Sarira Light," change every few seconds.
Elaine Yu/CNN
The old and new consciously stand side by side at the Porcelain Tower Heritage Park -- a contrast that's also noticeable throughout the city.
Worlds colliding —
The old and new consciously stand side by side at the Porcelain Tower Heritage Park -- a contrast that's also noticeable throughout the city.
Elaine Yu/CNN
Each of the new tower's nine stories offers 360-degree views of the city, where ancient rivers, architectures from bygone eras and skyscrapers layer atop one another.
City views —
Each of the new tower's nine stories offers 360-degree views of the city, where ancient rivers, architectures from bygone eras and skyscrapers layer atop one another.
Elaine Yu/CNN
The southern entrance of Nanjing's Ming Dynasty City Wall, also known as Zhonghua Gate, is located near the temple complex.
View from the City Wall —
The southern entrance of Nanjing's Ming Dynasty City Wall, also known as Zhonghua Gate, is located near the temple complex.
Courtesy Porcelain Tower Heritage Park
Since excavation work started less than a decade ago, archeologists have broken new grounds in their discoveries and added the temple complex to a list of nationally protected major historical and cultural sites in 2013.
Recently rediscovered —
Since excavation work started less than a decade ago, archeologists have broken new grounds in their discoveries and added the temple complex to a list of nationally protected major historical and cultural sites in 2013.
Elaine Yu/CNN
The original pagoda took 17 years to complete.
Built in 1412 —
The original pagoda took 17 years to complete.
Elaine Yu/CNN
The original tower was built with glazed white porcelain bricks, while steel beams were used for its reconstruction.
Replaced by steel —
The original tower was built with glazed white porcelain bricks, while steel beams were used for its reconstruction.
Elaine Yu/CNN
Little of the Bao'en Temple survived when rebels took over the city and plundered the Porcelain Tower during the Taiping Rebellion in the 19th century.
Destroyed by rebels —
Little of the Bao'en Temple survived when rebels took over the city and plundered the Porcelain Tower during the Taiping Rebellion in the 19th century.
Courtesy Porcelain Tower Heritage Park
Grand orchestral music is played at the museum to accompany the incredible visual designs.
Audio-visual effects —
Grand orchestral music is played at the museum to accompany the incredible visual designs.
Elaine Yu/CNN
The southern part of the city, where the tower is located, is home to many other tourist attractions like the City Wall, the Qinhuai River and Fuzimiao -- an ancient Confucius temple complex that's also a popular shopping and food market today.
Historic quarter —
The southern part of the city, where the tower is located, is home to many other tourist attractions like the City Wall, the Qinhuai River and Fuzimiao -- an ancient Confucius temple complex that's also a popular shopping and food market today.
Courtesy Porcelain Tower Heritage Park