Yingxian Wooden Pagoda—A millennium legacy, a building that moves
The Yingxian Wooden Pagoda, located within the Fogong Temple in Yingxian, Shuozhou. It was built over a period of 22 years from the fourth year of the Xingxi era (1035) to the second year of the Qingning era (1056) during the Liao Dynasty, and Emperor Daozong of Liao bestowed the name 'Sakyamuni Pagoda'. The wooden pagoda is the tallest and oldest existing all-wooden pagoda-style building in the world, and it is known as one of the 'Three Wonders of the World' alongside Italy's Leaning Tower of Pisa and the Eiffel Tower in Paris.
It is said that the famous architect Mr. Liang Sicheng personally measured the dimensions of the Yingxian Wooden Pagoda: it stands 67.31 meters tall, with a diameter of 30.27 meters at the base, and a total weight of 7,430 tons. The pagoda consists of three parts: the base, the body, and the steeple, with the base further divided into upper and lower levels—the lower level being square and the upper octagonal. The body of the pagoda is octagonal, with five visible stories and six eaves, but in reality, it has five bright and four dark stories, totaling nine stories. The ingenuity of the wooden pagoda also lies in its dynamic characteristics; due to its combination of rigid and flexible architectural structures, the 24 outer columns can adjust their load-bearing capacity in response to changes in the Earth's crust, giving it the ability to move flexibly and avoid disasters on its own.
Throughout the course of history, the development of different religions, cultures, and ethnicities often carries traces of civilization's integration, rather than existing in isolation. As a Buddhist structure from the Liao Dynasty, the Yingxian Wooden Pagoda incorporates many elements of Taoism in its design and construction. Standing in front of the pagoda, one can clearly see that the orientation of the wooden pagoda completely corresponds with the pre-heaven Bagua diagram. Moreover, the pagoda does not use a traditional square structure but instead an octagonal frame, which enhances the stability of the building. This also aligns with the Taoist pursuit of harmony and balance. What we can also see is that the architecture of the Liao Dynasty abandoned the soft and delicate beauty of the Song Dynasty architecture of the same period, choosing instead to inherit the grandeur and passionate exuberance of the architecture of the prosperous Tang Dynasty, thus highlighting the rugged and majestic characteristics of the architecture of the northern Liao Dynasty, presenting a completely different style from the Holy Mother Hall of Jinci in Taiyuan under the Northern Song Dynasty, 230 kilometers away.
Within the five actual stories of the wooden pagoda, there are exquisite colored sculptures of Buddha. The style of the sculptures is very similar to those in the Baoji Teaching Hall of Huayan Temple in Datong, built in the seventh year of the Chongxi era (1038) of the Liao Dynasty, with vivid shapes, robust figures (which is completely different from the pursuit of delicate and clear features in the later Yungang Grottoes), and dignified faces. Although the interior sculptures have been weathered over a millennium and repaired and repainted over the generations, they still retain the original appearance of the Liao Dynasty sculptures. For example, the image of Sakyamuni in the first-floor hall has green beards and eyebrows, which is related to the Khitan men's practice of growing beards.
Every era has its unique culture. Up to the present, there are eight major wooden structures from the Liao Dynasty still in existence, namely the Guanyin Pavilion, the Dule Temple Gate, the Sakyamuni Pagoda, the Fengguo Temple, the Daxiong Hall, the Baoji Teaching Hall of Huayan Temple, the Kaishan Temple, and the Ge Yuan Temple. Mr. Liang Sicheng named them the 'Eight Great Liao Constructions'. A thousand years have passed, the Liao regime has long been extinguished, and the Khitan people have disappeared without a trace, but the porcelain they left behind, the buildings, the culture, and their stories are still here, telling future generations that they were once here.
As an architect, this is a holy place that must be punched in. The scene is really shocking. Although it is remote, it is worth the fare. It is highly recommended to go early. For various reasons, it is likely that it will not be seen after a few years.
Yingxian wooden tower, also known as Shijia Tower, is located in Yingxian Buddha Palace Temple in Shuozhou City, Shanxi Province. It is the tallest and oldest wooden tower in China. The tower is67.31 meters high. It has the Eiffel Tower and the Leaning Tower of Pisa and has become the world's three major奇塔s. The structure of pure wood also makes Yingxian wooden tower called a unique building, its architectural achievements have been shocked by the world.
At a glance, there is only one floor open now. But it is worth seeing under the tower~ The great bank of the wooden tower, the unique design, really even the child after understanding the history, sighing that it is about to pass away~ There is a temple after the tower, don't forget to see it. It is far from the ancient city of Datong. It is recommended to charter a car. You can also browse the scenic spots such as Hanging Temple and Hengshan by the way.
Very spectacular, if you drive by car, you have to park in the designated parking lot of the scenic spot, and you have to take the bus in the scenic spot, but it is free. There are a lot of people, and you have to make an appointment to buy a ticket. We didn't make an appointment because we went late, and we watched it below. It was also quite artistic, lamenting the technical excellence of the ancients.
The driver master is very enthusiastic, the landscape is very beautiful, very beautiful, the three-level Chong should be unparalleled, and the nine-sey respects the first level. Qimenguan, Huo went to the disease from here to start the battle of the desert north to make the Xiongnu escape, Yangjia will guard the town for more than 20 years, leading the Qilang and Bahu to a ten-guaranteed family to defend the country, Han Gao Zu Liu Bang out of the anus to be trapped in the white mountaineering. Yingxian wooden tower is also very beautiful.
Yingxian wooden tower has become a must to Datong to punch in a attraction, but you may not know, Yingxian wooden tower should belong to, the management place is Shuozhou. There are also many friends who complain that the traffic of the wooden tower is not very convenient. Here is for everyone to sort out the traffic from all parties to the wooden tower in Yingxian. 🚉 Datong: It should be the place where the most people start. 1. Outbound: Datong Railway Station 12.5 Yuan or Datong South Station 22 yuan by train to Yingxian Station, there is a 5 yuan bus 20 minutes to the Muta 2. Return: Yingxian Muta walk or bus to Yingxian Bus Terminal, then take the 5 yuan bus to Yingxian Station, the train returns to Datong 🚉 Hunyuan: To the suspension temple, Hengshan 1. Outbound: There is a shuttle bus from Hunyuan Bus Station for 16 yuan. 1.5 hours can go directly to the crossroads near the wooden tower in Yingxian County, and then walk to the wooden tower. 2. Return: Contact the shuttle bus dispatch by phone one hour in advance (privately available). After obtaining the departure time, walk to the entrance of Yingxian Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine and wait for the bus. 🚉 Shuozhou: Pedestrians at least 1. Outbound & Return: In Shuozhou or Yingxian Muta Scenic Area, call one hour in advance (you can get it privately) and there will be a shuttle bus to pick you up in person, 40 yuan, 2 hours 📝 Summary: Come to Datong to play, you can connect Datong, Shuozhou, Yingxian and Hunyuan into a line, Specific route planning can be private or view my previous notes
Shanxi | One of the three major chits in the world at a glance at the Millennium·Yingxian Muta happened to be during the Spring Festival. The gate of the Muta was particularly lively. I felt that my heart was quiet when I saw the Muta. There were many Ma Yan flying next to it. It felt like crossing the millennium. I have been here more than 10 years ago, but I didn’t go up to visit. I visited it at the door. At that time, I could still climb the tower. Now I can only enter the first floor to visit. The wooden tower has a slight tilt.