Yuejiang Lou, Ming Dynasty observation tower in Nanjing, China

Yuejiang Lou is a seven-story tower on Lion Mountain overlooking the Yangtze River and central Nanjing. The structure draws inspiration from classical Chinese design and provides broad views of the surrounding area from its upper levels.

In 1360 Zhu Yuanzhang defeated Chen Youliang's 400,000-strong army at Lu Longshan with 80,000 men, a victory that helped secure Nanjing as his capital. After founding the Ming dynasty he renamed the mountain Lion Mountain in 1374 and ordered Yuejiang Tower built there, writing a note on it himself, but the tower was never erected. The present seven-story building was completed and opened in 2001, designed by Du Shunbao of Southeast University.

The name means "view river tower", referring to the Yangtze seen to the north, not the moon. Zhu Yuanzhang ordered court officials to each write a "Note on Yuejiang Tower"; Song Lian's essay was judged the best and was later included in the anthology Guwen Guanzhi.

Stairs and elevators provide access through all levels, connecting different viewing areas within the tower. Comfortable shoes are recommended, and visitors should note that upper levels can be exposed to wind.

The tower's name refers to viewing the Yangtze, not the moon. Its foundation was finished in the 1370s, but Zhu Yuanzhang halted construction after inauspicious omens; old maps mark a lookout called Wangjiang Tower on the site. The present building, designed by Southeast University professor Du Shunbao, opened in 2001.