Yunxiao Pavilion

Yunxiao Pavilion

Yunxiao Pavilion is a cultural heritage site protected by Fujian Province.

China’s Leaning Tower of Pisa — The Yunxiao Pavilion in Zhongdu, Shanghang, was built between 1522 and 1566 (during the

Jiajing era of the Ming Dynasty), and features an architectural structure that leans outward but stands upright inside. — No matter from which angle visitors observe the building, it appears to tilt in the opposite direction, a mystery that has remained unsolved for over 400 years.

The pavilion is situated by a river at the entrance of Tianbei Village in Zhongdu Town, Fujian. Surrounded by towering ancient trees, crystal-clear waters, arched stone bridges, and historic houses, the area boasts a serene environment and is one of the best-preserved and oldest ancient buildings in Shanghang County. It was listed as a cultural heritage site of Shanghang County in the early 1980s.

Architectural Features

The Yunxiao Pavilion was renovated in 1582 (the 10th year of the Ming Dynasty’s Wanli era) and has a history of over 400 years. It is a rammed-earth structure shaped like a tiered pagoda, consisting of seven levels and standing over 20 meters tall. The ground floor is divided into two sections: the front hall is the Goddess Hall, with a couplet on its door reading: “The returning crane brings the fragrance of pine blossoms into the meditation room; the drifting white clouds reveal the bright moon that illuminates the Zen heart.” The rear hall is the Immortal Master Shrine, dedicated to the Immortal Master Bodhisattva, with a couplet that reads: “In the sacred land, dust is swept away by the wind; in the Zen temple, the moon remains shut behind an unlocked gate.” The second floor is the Guanyin Hall, housing the statue of Guanyin Bodhisattva, with a couplet stating: “The Purple Gold Mountain and Qingyuan Mountain are not as efficacious as this place where deities swiftly bring disaster relief; the Chanlin Temple and Yihetemple may all enshrine the same bodhisattva, but blessings come through sincerity.” The third floor is the Xuantian Emperor Hall, the fourth is the Northern Emperor Ancestral Master Hall, the fifth is the Heavenly Queen Mother Hall, the sixth is the Kuixing Star Hall, and the seventh is the Bell and Drum Tower.

The first and second levels of the Yunxiao Pavilion are made of raw earth with walls two Chinese feet thick. Starting from the third level, cylindrical pillars support the structure, with wooden panels as partitions. The carved ceiling features colorful patterns, the eaves curl upwards in eight angles, and the roof is adorned with gourds. Wooden staircases lead directly to each level.

Historical Legend

Legend has it that when the pavilion was constructed, there was a master and apprentice duo with exceptional craftsmanship. The villagers chose two different locations for them to compete: the apprentice built in Tianbei Village, while the master worked in the neighboring Xian Village. Both projects started and were completed at the same time. The master’s pavilion stood tall and straight, while the apprentice’s tilted slightly. It is said that the apprentice, aiming to showcase superior skill, intentionally left out a crucial support. As a result, the Yunxiao Pavilion appears to tilt in every direction — leaning east when viewed from the west, west when viewed from the east, south when viewed from the north, and vice versa — creating a remarkable spectacle. Additionally, a drum on the second floor, made from horsehide in the 1980s, was recently discovered to have grown dense patches of long hair. This phenomenon was featured on CCTV’s science program *Approaching Science*, becoming yet another marvel associated with the Yunxiao Pavilion.

Other Related Information

In March 2006, following video and photo interviews and recommendations by Liu Zengrong (born in 1963 in Tianbei Village, former reporter for the Capital University of Economics and Business), CCTV-10 *Approaching Science* journalists such as Chen Mo traveled to Xiamen University’s School of Life Sciences, Zhongdu Town, and Yongding County for interviews and filming. Shortly after, a 60-minute scientific documentary titled *“The Drum” That Bewitches the Heart* (Parts 1 & 2) and a 10-minute feature *Science Panorama: Can Hair Grow on a Drum?* (see “Further Reading”) were aired on CCTV-10 and CCTV-1, generating significant public interest. Later, Fujian TV and a South Korean TV station also conducted interviews and reports. In 2009, the Yunxiao Pavilion in Shanghang County was included in the seventh batch of provincial-level cultural heritage sites announced by the Fujian Provincial Government, officially becoming a protected site.

Tianbei Village: Tianbei Village borders You’an Village to the east, Luoxi Village and Jiaoteng Village to the south, connects to Taishan Village in Xiangdong Township, Wuping County, to the west, and links to Chenhe Village to the north. It is one kilometer from the town center, covers an area of 15 square kilometers, and currently has a population of 1,767 people across 459 households and 15 villager groups.

Tianbei Village is the hometown of Major General Liu Zhenqiu of the People’s Republic of China. General Liu Zhenqiu (1909–1997) joined the Workers’ and Peasants’ Red Army in 1929, became a member of the Chinese Communist Party in 1930, and was awarded the rank of Major General in the People’s Liberation Army in 1955. He received the Second-Class August 1st Medal, the Second-Class Independence and Freedom Medal… More details about Tianbei Village ++

Further Reading:

· Seventh Batch of Cultural Heritage Sites Protected by Fujian Province