The Twin Pagodas of Nanxiang Temple

The Twin Pagodas of Nanxiang Temple

The Twin Pagodas of Nanxiang Temple are protected cultural relics of Shanghai.

The Twin Pagodas of Nanxiang Temple, also known as the Five Dynasties Twin Pagodas, are located at the north end of Xianghua Bridge in Nanxiang Town, Jiading District. They are famed for the scenic view “Twin Pagodas in Rosy Clouds” and are protected cultural relics of Shanghai. The exact construction date of the pagodas is unknown, but based on their design and structure, they are estimated to have been built during the Five Dynasties to the early Northern Song Dynasty (907–960). Originally, the Twin Pagodas stood on either side of the mountain gate of Nanxiang Temple. Legend has it that during the Tianjian era of the Liang Dynasty in the Southern and Northern Dynasties period, farmers plowing the fields unearthed a stone, upon which a pair of white cranes often perched. A monk saw the cranes fly southward and followed their direction to solicit donations, eventually building a grand temple and the twin pagodas. The cranes flew away and never returned, hence the temple was named “Nanxiang Temple” (meaning “Temple of the Flying South”). The temple was expanded during the Five Dynasties, converted into a school during the Republican era, and destroyed during the War of Resistance against Japan, leaving only the twin pagodas standing.

Each pagoda stands 11 meters tall, has seven stories and eight sides, and imitates the style of a wooden pavilion-style pagoda. The eaves and balconies on each level are made of brick, and each story features a Buddha niche. Other elements mimic wooden structures, with bracket sets used under the eaves. Each of the four sides has arched doorways, while the other four sides feature recessed lattice windows, with the orientation alternating by level. The spire is tall and exquisitely delicate, secured by eight iron guy wires tied to the eight corners of the top-level eaves. The base is built with an octagonal white marble platform over two zhang high (approximately 6.6 meters), with a circumference that one can nearly embrace with both arms. The construction of pagodas in China began with wooden structures during the early Jin Dynasty. Due to the fire risk posed by wood, brick became the material of choice by the Five Dynasties period. The Twin Pagodas of Nanxiang Temple represent this transition in materials. Their structural form largely mimics wooden pagodas but includes additional carvings.

The Twin Pagodas of Nanxiang Temple have withstood over a thousand years of weathering without any reinforcement or repairs throughout history, maintaining their elegant, graceful, and slender beauty in the town of Nanxiang. Starting in 1985, restoration work began, removing the disordered buildings surrounding the pagodas, and was completed in 1987, restoring the pagodas’ former glory.

The Twin Pagodas of Nanxiang Temple were once one of the “Eight Scenic Spots of Nanxiang,” known as “Twin Pagodas in Rosy Clouds.” The two pagodas stand gracefully, bathed in the glow of the evening sunset, reminiscent of the scene of Leifeng Pagoda at dusk in Hangzhou. In the 1980s, the pagodas were restored to their original appearance. Inscribed on the pagodas is the calligraphy of Su Juxian, a centenarian who wrote “Twin Pagodas of Nanxiang.” The reappearance of these ancient pagodas has added a radiant touch of ancient culture to the historic town of Nanxiang.

The Twin Pagodas of Nanxiang Temple are the only surviving pair of the oldest brick pagodas in China built in the style of wooden pavilion towers. They not only possess extremely high artistic value, but also provide valuable physical material for the study of ancient Chinese architecture, religious history, and local history.

Transportation Information

Address: Nanxiang Town, Jiading District, Shanghai

Transportation Options: Bus routes 562, Beijia Special Line, 822, Global Harbor Road, Xiang’an Line, and Nanxiang Route 2

Nanxiang Town: Nanxiang, anciently known as Chaxi, is the site where the White Crane Nanxiang Temple was built in the fourth year of the Tianjian era of the Liang Dynasty (505 AD), boasting a history of 1,500 years. The town derives its name from the temple. Since ancient times, Nanxiang has been a bustling hub of commerce and economic prosperity, earning the reputation of “Silver Nanxiang.” In 1991, Nanxiang was listed as one of Shanghai’s four major historical and cultural towns.

Located in the northwest suburbs of Shanghai, Nanxiang serves as the southern gateway to Jiading District. It is 18 kilometers from the city center and a 15-minute drive from Hongqiao International Airport. The Shanghai-Jiading Expressway, Shanghai-Yixing Highway, and Shanghai-Nanjing Railway run north-south, while Yunzao Creek stretches east-west. There are dozens of bus lines... More detailed information about Nanxiang Town++