Taojiang Stone Pagoda

Taojiang Stone Pagoda

The Taojiang Stone Pagoda is a cultural relic protection unit of Fujian Province.

Taojiang Stone Pagoda

Formerly known as Talin and commonly called Yanta (Wild Goose Pagoda), it is located atop Talin Mountain (also known as Zhushan) in Shanggan Town, Minhou County. Constructed from solid granite in an octagonal, seven-tiered design, it stands approximately 10 meters tall with a base width of 3.2 meters. The platform is supported by a double-layered Sumeru pedestal, and the top features a five-wheel stupa finial. Each tier is carved with one to three Buddha statues seated on lotus thrones, while the corners are adorned with muscular figures supporting the pagoda body. Among the carvings are depictions of dragons playing with pearls, phoenixes facing the rising sun, floral patterns, flying apsaras, and ancient beasts. The carving style is archaic and simple, with dragons having short legs, thick bodies, small heads, simple horns, and minimal tail branching—likely representing an ancient dragon form predating the Song Dynasty.

This pagoda was originally part of Talin Temple, which took its name from the pagoda. [Song Dynasty] “Records of the Three Mountains” states: “Talin Temple is located at the foot of Fangshan Mountain and was established during the Ta Jian era.”

[Qing Dynasty] Lin Weiyong wrote in his poem “View from Pagoda Peak”: “With companions I climb vines past a thousand hamlets in a single glance, where pale mist veils distant isles, and lingering sunlight clings to sunny hills. The pagoda’s shadow grazes the sky’s edge, oar sounds hush in calm coves. Returning birds forget visitors’ arrival, borrowing half a branch in leisure.”

The pagoda was renovated in 1983 and designated as a county-level cultural relic protection unit in 1989.

Shanggan Town: A town under the jurisdiction of Minhou County. In 1958, it belonged to Xiangqian Commune, and in 1983, Shanggan Town was established separately. Located in the southeastern part of the county, it is 34.5 kilometers from the county seat, covering an area of 5 square kilometers with a population of 15,000. Both National Highways 324 and 316 pass through the town. It administers 12 village committees—Dongsheng, Guopu, Yangzhong, Houcun, Wumen, Tingshang, Hongxin, Longxing, Houfu, Houpu, Puli, and Houcuo—as well as the Shanggan residential committee. The main agricultural product is rice. Taojiang freshwater clams are a rare and nationally unique freshwater shellfish delicacy. Handicrafts are exported as far as Southeast Asia. Lin Xiangqian, a martyr of the “February 7th” labor movement, was a native of Shanggan. … More detailed information about Shanggan Town++