Huayan Pagoda

Huayan Pagoda

Huayan Pagoda is a protected cultural heritage site of Shanghai Municipality.

Huayan Pagoda is located within Songyin Temple in Songyin Town, Jinshan District. It was built over four years with funds raised by Monk Deran in the 13th year of the Hongwu reign during the Ming Dynasty (1380). The pagoda is square-shaped with seven stories, constructed of brick and wood in the style of the Tang Dynasty, and stands 32 meters tall. It is named Huayan Pagoda because the top of the pagoda houses 81 volumes of the Avatamsaka Sutra handwritten in blood by Monk Deran.

It underwent two major renovations, one in the 40th year of the Qianlong reign (1775) and another in the 27th year of the Daoguang reign (1847). In 1961, the pagoda was struck by lightning, causing the top to lean. The government funded the straightening of the central pillar, but due to its age, the wooden structures such as the eaves, balconies, and railings on each level had largely deteriorated.

To protect the only remaining ancient pagoda in southern Pudong, the Shanghai Municipal Administration of Cultural Heritage and the People’s Government of Jinshan District jointly invested over 2 million yuan for its restoration. The project began in January 1999, the spire was installed in August, and the restoration was completed in December.