Bozhou Xuege Pagoda

Bozhou Xuege Pagoda

Bozhou Xuege Pagoda is a National Key Cultural Relics Protection Unit.

Xuege Pagoda, also known as Wenfeng Pagoda, is located on the south side of the middle section of Xuege Road in Bozhou City. In the 37th year of the Qianlong reign during the Qing Dynasty (1772), Zheng Jiaotai, the then magistrate of Bozhou, initiated its construction to promote literary culture. Initially built with five stories, two additional levels were added in the 17th year of the Jiaqing reign (1812) through funding by local gentry He Tianqu, making it a seven-tiered, exquisitely designed pagoda. It is called Xuege Pagoda by locals because it was built near the Xue Family Pavilion, the family shrine of Xue Hui, a Ming Dynasty official from the Ministry of Personnel’s Merit Evaluation Department.

The pagoda is constructed from brick and features a pavilion-style architectural design with an upright octagonal shape. It has seven stories and stands 34.15 meters tall, with the base circumference measuring 23.36 meters. The pagoda’s foundation is laid with eight large Qing Dynasty bluestones. Each story’s outer corners are adorned with brick-carved wooden-style square pillars, above which sit brick architraves leading to the eaves. Below the architraves are carved patterns featuring brick brackets, birds, and flowers. Inside, the pagoda adopts an “inner wall spiral stair” structure. From the second to the sixth floor, there is a small niche facing south on each inner wall, used for enshrining deities. The pagoda’s top features eight flying eaves with upturned corners, hanging ridges, and wind chimes that tinkle softly. The roof is covered with tubular tiles, presenting a delicate and translucent appearance. The pagoda’s spire consists of a cast iron lotus base, atop which sits a gourd-shaped finial, reaching straight toward the sky.

On October 7, 2019, Bozhou Xuege Pagoda was included in the eighth batch of National Key Cultural Relics Protection Units.

Protected Area: West and north to the teaching building of Xuege Primary School, east to the sports field of Bozhou No. 3 Middle School, and south to 25 meters beyond Xuege Pagoda.

Construction Control Zone: 125 meters beyond the protected area on all sides.

Further Reading:

· Eighth Batch of National Key Cultural Relics Protection Units