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Yingxian Wooden Pagoda
Introducing Yingxian Wooden Pagoda
The Yingxian Wooden Pagoda is recognized as the Shakyamuni Pagoda of Fogong Temple. The Yingxian Wooden Pagoda was erected in 1056 during the reign of Emperor Daozong of the Khitan-led Liao Dynasty. The Yingxian Wooden Pagoda rests atop a 4-meter (13-foot) tall stone platform, with a towering steeple reaching 10 meters (33 feet) high, culminating in an impressive total height of 67.31 meters (220.83 feet). Notably, it stands as the oldest surviving fully wooden pagoda in China. Its construction highlights an array of fifty-four distinct types of bracket arms, representing the most extensive collection found in any structure from the Liao Dynasty. Between each outer story lies a mezzanine layer accommodating the exterior bracket arms. While its exterior displays a facade of five stories with two sets of rooftop eaves for the first story, the interior unveils a total of nine stories. The focal point of the pagoda's first floor is a prominent statue of Buddha Sakyamuni, embellished with an intricately designed caisson above its head, lending the pagoda its name. Each story of the pagoda features meticulously carved caissons in the ceiling. Offering panoramic vistas of the surrounding landscape, including landmarks like Mount Heng and the Songgan River, the octagonal pagoda features eight-sided windows that accentuate its picturesque charm.
Yingxian Wooden Pagoda Fast Facts
• Chinese Name: Ying Xian Mu Ta 应县木塔
• Best Time to Visit: May-Oct
• Recommended Visiting Hours: two hours
• Things to Do: Buddhist culture, tradtional Chinese architecture
• Date Established: 1056 AD
• UNESCO World Heritage Site: Tentative list
• Height: 67.31 meters(220 ft)
• Opening Hours: 8:30 - 17:30
• Entrance Fee: CNY 48.free for children under 1.2m (3.9ft)
• Address: Fogong Temple, Yingxian County, Shuozhou City, Shanxi Province
What UNESCO Says of Yingxian Wooden Pagoda
The Wooden Pagoda of Yingxian County, which is also called the Sakyamuni Pagoda of Fogong Temple, is located in the northwest corner of the county, Shuozhou City, Shanxi Province, People's Republic of China.
Completed in the 2nd Year of the reign of Qingning in Liao Dynasty (year of 1056), the 957-year-old pagoda was known as “the first pagoda” during the Ming and Qing Dynasties, which means that “there are large numbers of Buddha pagodas in the world, but the Wooden Pagoda of Yingxian County is the first one”. It plays an important role in the history of ancient Chinese architecture. Also, it is the oldest and tallest wooden multi-storey building of the world. This pagoda embodies the wisdom of ancient craftsmen, and it still stands tall after many seismic tests during nine hundred years. It can be described as a miracle in the history of Chinese architecture. The pagoda is called architectural gems by experts in the architectural field both at home and abroad for its long history, unique design and wonderful construction techniques.
The pagoda is a stereoscopic temple which is built along the vertical space. The pagoda takes the shape of an octagon in the plane with five stories and six eaves and is proped by two circles of columns. The external peripheral column is surrounded by corridor columns, a layout known as Jinxiangdoudicao surrounded by a corridor in Yingzaofashi (Treatise on Architectural Methods). The whole wooden pagoda has nine stories in all, including four blindstories and five clear layers. The pagoda is a double-barrel wooden structure constructed with tenon-and-mortise work. It is composed of three parts: pagoda base, the mainbody and Tasha. The whole pagoda is as high as 67.31 meters from the ground to the top. In 1961, the Wooden Pagoda of Yingxian County was declared by the State Council as among the first batch of state priority protected sites.
Why Visit Yingxian Wooden Pagoda
The Wooden Pagoda of Ying County holds the prestigious title of being the oldest all-timber pagoda still standing in China. Soaring to a majestic height of 67 meters (221 feet), this remarkable structure traces its roots back to 1056 during the Liao dynasty, under the reign of Empress Xiao, with subsequent renovations carried out in 1195. In a momentous occasion in 2016, Guinness World Records officially recognized the awe-inspiring Sakyamuni Pagoda of Fogong Temple in Yingxian County, Shanxi, China, affirming its status as the world's tallest wooden pagoda.
How to Get to Yingxian Wooden Pagoda
• The Yingxian Wooden Pagoda is located 77km (48 miles) away from Datong city center.
• Rent a car/bus from GGC to enjoy a hassle free private transfer from hotels in Datong to Yingxian Wooden Pagoda.