Yangkeng Stone Pagoda

Yangkeng Stone Pagoda

Yangkeng Stone Pagoda is a cultural relic protection unit of Zhejiang Province.

Yangkeng Stone Pagoda (Provincial Cultural Relics Protection Unit)

Era: Northern Song Dynasty

Announcement date: March 16, 2005

Hexagonal in shape, six stories currently remain, it is a wood-like pavilion-style stone pagoda. The interior is built with block stones, and the surface is clad with carved stone slabs. The lower part of the pagoda has a Sumeru pedestal, with carved images of Heavenly Kings and Vajra guardians seated in the waist-arched niches. Each level of the pagoda body features carved corner pillars, architraves, wall posts, and baseboards; each facade has a central niche engraved with a lotus pedestal and seated Buddha images; the side walls of each niche are carved with three rows of six small niches, each housing a seated Buddha. The eaves are carved with single-tier bracket sets, as well as rafters, lotus roof tiles, and double-lip drip tiles. The balcony is represented by two layers of flat bricks. The construction method is similar for other levels. The pagoda body above the sixth story has been destroyed.

Judging from the inscription “Xining 4th Year” on the pagoda body, the pagoda was built during the Northern Song Dynasty, with a history of over 900 years. Such brick and stone pagodas covered with carved Buddha images were quite popular at the time. There are also multiple inscriptions on the pagoda documenting its construction, which hold significant historical value.

Source: Zhejiang Cultural Relics Website

Further reading:

· Fifth Batch of Zhejiang Provincial Cultural Relics Protection Units