Ruiyun Pagoda

Ruiyun Pagoda

Ruiyun Pagoda is a cultural relic protection unit of Fujian Province.

Ruiyun Pagoda is located at the head of Longshou Bridge in the southeast of Rongcheng, Fuqing City. It was funded through donations raised by Ye Chengxue, son of Ye Xianggao and a county official, along with County Magistrate Ling Hanliao. The renowned craftsman Li Bangda was responsible for the design and construction. The pagoda was built in the 34th year of the Wanli era during the Ming Dynasty (1606) and completed in the 43rd year (1615). Legend has it that on the day the foundation was chosen, five-colored clouds spread over it from Mount Taibao, shining brilliantly, hence the name Ruiyun Pagoda (Auspicious Cloud Pagoda) after its completion. The pagoda stands 34.6 meters tall and is constructed from granite in a wooden-style, pavilion-form structure, with seven stories and eight sides. The base of the pagoda has a circumference of 24 meters and is formed by eight bluestones arranged like the legs of eight pedestals, supporting an octagonal lotus pedestal. On top of the base, groups of eight bluestones of varying lengths are stacked successively. The flying eaves on all eight sides are carved with reliefs of the Maitreya Buddha, beneath which run corridors surrounded by stone railings on all eight facades. A stone plaque is inscribed with the characters “Lingxiao Yuzhu” (Pillar Reaching the Heavens). From the second to the seventh floor, doors are placed on two sides of each level, each guarded by two fully armored guardian deities, majestic and imposing—there are 26 in total throughout the pagoda. Each floor also features niches housing Buddha statues, though many have since been stolen. The various levels are richly adorned with carvings of warriors, monks, arhats, flowers, birds, beasts, and Buddhist tales. In total, there are more than 400 carved figures throughout the pagoda, including bodhisattvas, guardians, and Buddha statues, ranging in size from 1.5 meters to as small as 0.2 meters. These figures are exquisitely crafted, each with unique expressions and postures. At each corner of the pagoda’s eaves sits a carved stone guardian general, totaling 56 across the structure. Ruiyun Pagoda is the masterpiece of stonemason Li Bangda, an exceptional feat of craftsmanship often hailed as the “Number One Pagoda of the South.”

In May 1961, it was listed as a cultural relic protection unit of Fujian Province.

Longshan Subdistrict: Officially established on December 30, 2006, Longshan Subdistrict was named after the “Longshan Park” within its area. The establishment of Longshan Subdistrict is a product of Fuqing City’s rapid urban economic development, a response to the growing need for standardized community construction, and an effective measure to deepen the village-to-residential transformation strategy, optimize resource allocation, and alleviate land-use conflicts. The formation of the subdistrict office is of great significance in promoting the urbanization process of Fuqing City and accelerating the development of a moderately prosperous society. Covering an area of 34 square kilometers, it stretches east to Mile Rock in Haikou Town, south to the northern bank of the Longjiang River, … More details about Longshan Subdistrict ++