Ruijin Longzhu Tower

Ruijin Longzhu Tower

Ruijin Longzhu Tower is a cultural relic protection unit of Jiangxi Province.

Commonly known as the White Pagoda, Ruijin Longzhu Tower is located on the banks of the Mianjiang River, approximately 3,000 meters southwest of downtown Ruijin. A temple was built here because of the tower, and a place name was established due to the temple. The historical place name "Taxia Temple" has been in use to this day. In recent years, with the rapid urban development of Ruijin, Longzhu Tower and its neighboring sites — including the Ruijin Martyrs Memorial Hall, the Chinese Soviet Republic History Memorial Hall, and the Bai County Forest — have blended into a significant urban landscape and tourist attraction. Longzhu Tower is a typical water-mouth pagoda in Ruijin and an important symbol of the city.

Longzhu Tower was first built in the 20th year of the Wanli reign during the Ming Dynasty (1602), and was renovated in the 18th year of the Daoguang reign of the Qing Dynasty (1838) with funding from the Yang family of Xiguan. It underwent another round of maintenance in 1934, and Li Ting Park was established with the tower at its center. The pagoda has nine levels and six sides, with an internal spiral staircase that allows visitors to climb to the top. It stands 34 meters tall, with the base at -39.4 meters, an inner diameter of 2.85 meters, and walls 4.38 meters thick. The top level has walls 2.73 meters thick and an inner diameter of 1.75 meters. The structure is made of brick and stone, with lime plaster on both the interior and exterior. The base features small chamfered column bases at the six corners. The first level has three entrances leading inside, and from the second level onward, each level has floor beams and planks, as well as doors and wall niches. Each outer level has windows and openings for viewing. Climbing the ancient pagoda offers sweeping views of the vast Bijia Mountain and the surging Mianjiang River — a breathtaking sight that attracts numerous visitors. Despite enduring centuries of weathering and erosion, the pagoda still stands firmly by the Mianjiang River. Aside from some overgrown grass and shrubs on the outer eaves, partial damage to the spiral staircases, the removal of stone tablets and floor beams inside, and the missing top of the finial (a gourd-shaped ornament), the overall structure remains largely intact. Longzhu Tower is exquisitely designed, sturdy, and long renowned. It was even exhibited in the “National Ancient Pagodas” photo exhibition at the Shanxi Provincial Museum in 1980.

As an important water-mouth pagoda in Ruijin, Longzhu Tower carries rich cultural significance and reflects the collective sentiments of generations of Ruijin residents. For centuries, the Mianjiang River has served as a vital waterway for Ruijin. Longzhu Tower functioned as an important navigation marker along the river and a key landmark upon entering the city, playing a crucial role in shaping the distinctive spatial environment of the Ruijin Basin. In traditional feng shui beliefs, water-mouth pagodas are believed to subdue water — implying that where water gathers, wealth accumulates, thus blessing the people of Ruijin with prosperity and flourishing industries. Additionally, in local folklore, Longzhu Tower is referred to as the “Number One Scholar’s Brush,” symbolizing the flourishing culture and civilization of Ruijin.

Longzhu Temple, Ganzhou City

Address: Ruijin City, Ganzhou, Jiangxi Province

Further Reading:

· Third Batch of Jiangxi Provincial Cultural Relic Protection Units