East and West Pagodas of Jiangxin Islet

The East and West Pagodas of Jiangxin Islet

The East and West Pagodas of Jiangxin Islet are protected as cultural heritage sites by Zhejiang Province.

The East and West Pagodas of Jiangxin Islet are located atop the eastern and western hills of Jiangxin Islet.

The East Pagoda was built in the 10th year of the Xiantong era of the Tang Dynasty (869), though some say it was constructed in the 2nd year of the Kaibao era of the Northern Song Dynasty (969). It was later destroyed in war but rebuilt in the 10th year of the Shaoxing era of the Southern Song Dynasty (1141). The pagoda stands majestically over 30 meters tall, has six sides and seven stories, and is built from brick and wood. Each level features a lotus-shaped Buddhist niche, corridors, overlapping eaves, and red-painted upper levels, with a staircase leading all the way to the top. From the summit, visitors can enjoy panoramic views of both banks of the Ou River. After Wenzhou was opened as a trading port in the 2nd year of the Guangxu era of the Qing Dynasty (1876), the British established a consulate and a police station at the foot of the East Pagoda. In the 20th year of the Guangxu era (1894), the British authorities forcibly removed the pagoda’s eaves and corridors. Today, the pagoda is hollow and lacks a top, but the summit is covered with lush tree branches, adding natural beauty to the ancient structure.

The West Pagoda was built in the 2nd year of the Kaibao era of the Northern Song Dynasty (969) and underwent multiple renovations during the Hongwu and Wanli eras of the Ming Dynasty, as well as the Qianlong era of the Qing Dynasty. The pagoda stands 32 meters tall with a base diameter of 7 meters. It is a pavilion-style brick structure imitating wooden architecture, hollow inside, with six sides and seven stories. Originally, a spiral staircase led to the top. Today, the pagoda remains externally intact and stands tall and majestic. Each side of every level features a Buddhist niche, with 16 stone-carved Buddha statues remaining. These statues are finely crafted and naturally expressive, demonstrating a high level of artistic quality.

In June 1981, the Wenzhou Municipal People's Government designated the East and West Pagodas of Jiangxin Islet among the first batch of municipal-level cultural heritage protection units in Wenzhou.

Protection Level: Provincial-level Cultural Heritage Protection Unit

Time Period: Ming and Qing Dynasties

Ancient Architecture

Protected Area: Defined by the boundary of the mountaintop viewing platform where the East and West Pagodas are situated.

Building Control Zone: To the west and north, bounded by the southern edge of the pathways within Jiangxin Islet Scenic Area (starting from the front of the Bonsai Garden in the west, along the northern shore of Bibo Lake, passing by Xiaofei Hong, and reaching Laixue Pavilion); to the northeast, bounded by the southern shore of the waterway from Gongqing Lake to the Ou River; to the southeast, bounded by the embankment of the Ou River.

Further Reading:

· Sixth Batch of Zhejiang Provincial Cultural Heritage Protection Units