Yongshou Temple Pagoda

Yongshou Temple Pagoda

Yongshou Temple Pagoda is a cultural relic protection unit of Jiangsu Province.

Yongshou Temple Pagoda is a feng shui pagoda built during the Wanli era of the Ming Dynasty. Construction of Yongshou Temple Pagoda began in February of the 34th year of the Wanli reign (1606 AD) and was completed in December of the 35th year of the Wanli reign (1607 AD). Originally named Yongchang, it was later decreed to be called Yongshou Temple Pagoda. In the 5th year of the Shunzhi reign of the Qing Dynasty (1648 AD), Yongshou Temple housed nearly a hundred monks, making it the largest temple in Lishui County.

Yongshou Temple Pagoda is a brick pagoda modeled after a wooden pavilion-style tower, with an octagonal floor plan and seven stories, standing 32.5 meters tall. The pagoda sits on a white stone Sumeru pedestal about one meter high, with each side of the pedestal measuring 3.2 meters and featuring a waist molding. The structure tapers gracefully from the bottom up. The inner chamber is square-shaped, with the levels staggered. The first level has doors on the four cardinal sides, along with decorative false doors on the other sides. Each door is flanked by a pair of brick-carved Vajra guardians, totaling sixteen pieces. Levels two and above also feature doors on four sides, with the orientation of the doors alternating between levels. The pagoda’s decorative emphasis is placed on the outer walls of the base level and the stone pedestal, while the upper levels lack embellishment—a characteristic of Ming-era pagodas near Nanjing. The stone carvings, including lotus pillars and cloud motifs, pioneered Qing-style patterns and hold significant value for the study of the evolution of ancient architectural ornamentation.

The ancient pagoda has a history of over 400 years. Having endured many trials, including devastating fires, it was preserved only after being restored during the Qing Dynasty. Today, the precious finial at the top of the pagoda has fallen off, and the interior floors and staircases have been completely destroyed. The pagoda itself is also riddled with cracks, and natural weathering continues to worsen. In recent years, restoration work has given it a renewed appearance. The inner chamber is square, with each level inclined at a 45-degree angle and fitted with a wooden staircase that spirals to the top, allowing visitors to climb and enjoy the view. However, it largely retains the style of a Ming-era pagoda.

On October 22, 2002, Yongshou Temple Pagoda was designated as part of the fifth batch of Jiangsu Provincial Cultural Relic Protection Units.

Further Reading:

· Fifth Batch of Jiangsu Provincial Cultural Relic Protection Units