Longxing Temple Pagoda

Longxing Temple Pagoda

The Longxing Temple Pagoda is a National Key Cultural Relics Protection Unit.

Longxing Temple Pagoda

The Longxing Temple Pagoda is located in Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province. It was built in the second year of the Kaicheng era of the Tang Dynasty (873 AD). Originally, there were two pagodas, but only one remains today. The pagoda is made of stone and stands 4.20 meters tall. It is composed of a two-tiered Sumeru pedestal, the main body of the pagoda, a mid-section eave, short columns, an upper eave, and the pagoda top. The midsection of the Sumeru pedestal features high-relief carvings of eight figures supporting heavenly guardians, while the flat base has relief carvings of railings on all eight sides. The main body of the pagoda is 1.7 meters tall and 0.27 meters wide, inscribed with the "Dharani Sutra." The short columns have Buddha niches carved on four sides, each niche containing one Buddha and two bodhisattvas. The Longxing Temple Pagoda is a representative early example of pagodas in Zhejiang Province. Its sculptures exhibit the typical Tang Dynasty style of being full-bodied, robust, and realistic. The text of the "Dharani Sutra" was inscribed by the renowned Tang Dynasty calligrapher Hu Jiliang, making it a rare surviving example. This pagoda also serves as a historical and geographical landmark of Hangzhou.

Address: Intersection of Yan’an Road and Zhuxin Lane

Further Reading:

· Seventh Batch of National Key Cultural Relics Protection Units