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the Lengjia Temple Pagoda

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Commonly known as the Upper Pagoda, the Lengjia Temple Pagoda is located atop Shangfang Mountain in Shihu. Upon entering the main gate of Shangfang Mountain Forest Park and turning left, visitors can walk up the steps from the foot of the mountain to reach the Lengjia Pagoda Courtyard, although the Lengjia Temple itself has long been abandoned. The pagoda was first built in the fourth year of the Daye era during the Sui Dynasty (608 AD) under the initiative of Li Xian, the governor of Wujun Commandery. It is recorded that “there is no greater merit than building a pagoda, and no act more significant in accruing blessings than erecting one.” Hence, “a seven-story precious pagoda was constructed atop the mountain west of the commandery seat, enshrining nine shariras within it. It was encased in an outer shell, protected by a stone sarcophagus, preserving it from decay, untouched by conflagration, unshaken by calamity, and unmoved by deluge.” The pagoda’s inscription was composed by Yan Desheng, then Registrar of Households. However, the pagoda we see today is a reconstruction from the third year of the Taiping Xingguo era during the Song Dynasty (978 AD). Though it has undergone multiple restorations over the centuries, its structure still retains the architectural style of the Song Dynasty.

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

Commonly known as the Upper Pagoda, the Lengjia Temple Pagoda is located atop Shangfang Mountain in Shihu. Upon entering the main gate of Shangfang Mountain Forest Park and turning left, visitors can walk up the steps from the foot of the mountain to reach the Lengjia Pagoda Courtyard, although the Lengjia Temple itself has long been abandoned.

The pagoda was first built in the fourth year of the Daye era during the Sui Dynasty (608 AD) under the initiative of Li Xian, the governor of Wujun Commandery. It is recorded that “there is no greater merit than building a pagoda, and no act more significant in accruing blessings than erecting one.” Hence, “a seven-story precious pagoda was constructed atop the mountain west of the commandery seat, enshrining nine shariras within it. It was encased in an outer shell, protected by a stone sarcophagus, preserving it from decay, untouched by conflagration, unshaken by calamity, and unmoved by deluge.” The pagoda’s inscription was composed by Yan Desheng, then Registrar of Households. However, the pagoda we see today is a reconstruction from the third year of the Taiping Xingguo era during the Song Dynasty (978 AD). Though it has undergone multiple restorations over the centuries, its structure still retains the architectural style of the Song Dynasty.

Constructed of brick, the pagoda features seven stories and eight sides. Its spire was destroyed long ago and was replaced with a simple gourd-shaped finial during restoration, leaving a current height of approximately twenty-three meters. The entire structure is slender yet graceful, with well-proportioned features. The base of the first story is 2.4 meters on each side and was originally surrounded by a surrounding corridor, which has long since collapsed, leaving only a platform about 2 meters high. The second story has only short eaves, while the third story and above all feature girdled eaves and balconies. The inner chamber is square with no central pillar, and doors are opened on all four sides on each level, arranged in a staggered pattern. Whether viewed from afar or up close, the pagoda exudes an ancient and venerable charm. Among the many ancient pagodas in Suzhou, it ranks as the second most prominent, following only the Yunyan Temple Pagoda on Tiger Hill.