East and West Pagodas

East and West Pagodas

The East and West Pagodas are cultural tourism attractions.

The East and West Pagodas of Quanzhou are important cultural relics of Kaiyuan Temple, standing in the squares on either side of the temple’s prayer courtyard. The two pagodas are about 200 meters apart and are octagonal, five-story, pavilion-style stone pagodas built in imitation of wooden structures.

The eastern pagoda is named “Zhen Guo Pagoda” (Pagoda to Calm the Nation). In the sixth year of the Xiantong era (865 AD), it was initially built as a five-story wooden pagoda by the initiator, Monk Wencong. Over time, it suffered several instances of destruction and reconstruction, changing from wood to brick. By the second year of the Jiari era (1238 AD), Monk Benhong finally replaced the brick structure with stone. Later, Monks Faquan and Tiansi continued the work, and it took a total of ten years to complete.

The eastern pagoda stands 48.24 meters tall. Its structure is divided into four parts: the corridor, outer wall, inner corridor, and an octagonal central pillar. It features a frame-style construction. The central pillar runs vertically through all levels, serving as the main support for the entire pagoda. The walls are made of exquisitely carved granite blocks, stacked in a crisscross pattern with precise calculations and meticulous craftsmanship. Thanks to its solid foundation and a robust central pillar that conforms to the principles of mechanics, this over 10,000-ton structure has withstood more than 700 years of weathering without collapsing. Even the magnitude 8 earthquake in 1604 failed to shake its base.

The stone pagodas are not only incredibly sturdy but also exquisitely designed. The eaves curve gracefully outward, with upturned corners giving the pagodas a sense of hovering and lightness. Each level has four doors and four niches, arranged alternately between levels. This design evenly distributes the weight while enhancing the visual appeal and beauty of the structure. A bronze bell hangs at each corner of the eaves, producing a pleasant, melodic sound when stirred by the wind. In 1997, the eastern pagoda was featured in a set of stamps showcasing China’s four most famous pagodas, earning its title as the “King of Stone Pagodas.”

The western pagoda is named “Ren Shou Pagoda” (Pagoda of Benevolent Longevity). In the third year of the Zhenming era during the Later Liang of the Five Dynasties (917 AD), Wang Shenzhi transported timber by sea from Fuzhou to Quanzhou to build this pagoda, which was initially called “Wu Liang Shou Pagoda” (Pagoda of Infinite Life). In the fourth year of the Zhenghe era during the Northern Song (1114 AD), it was officially named “Ren Shou Pagoda” upon imperial decree. Like the eastern pagoda, it underwent multiple instances of destruction and reconstruction, changing from wood to brick, and then during the period from the first year of the Shaoding era to the first year of the Jiari era in the Southern Song (1228–1237 AD), Monk Zizheng replaced the brick structure with stone, completing the pagoda ten years before the eastern one. The western pagoda stands 44.06 meters tall, slightly shorter than the eastern pagoda, and is almost identical in scale. However, its carvings, such as the bearded male Guanyin (Goddess of Mercy) and the monkey traveler, have drawn widespread interest from visitors and scholars.

The stone pagodas of Quanzhou’s Kaiyuan Temple are treasured gems of ancient Chinese stone architecture. In terms of their scale, design, and craftsmanship, they can be described as extraordinarily exquisite. They symbolize the unprecedented social prosperity during the medieval peak of Quanzhou’s maritime trade and also serve as a unique emblem of Quanzhou as a historic and cultural city. Today, stone carvings of the East and West Pagodas have become precious gifts presented by the city’s top leaders to distinguished guests.

Location

Inside Kaiyuan Temple, No. 176 Xijie, Licheng District, Quanzhou City, Fujian Province

Further Reading:

· Top 50 Existing Ancient Architectural Structures in China