Yudu Earth Pagoda

Yudu Earth Pagoda

Yudu Earth Pagoda is a cultural heritage site protected at the provincial level in Jiangxi Province.

Yudu Earth Pagoda is located around Yudu County in Jiangxi Province, comprising the Shuige Kou Pagoda, Zhongbu Pagoda, Shuitou Pagoda, and Xiamǎ Pagoda.

Shuige Kou Pagoda is located in Mayuan Village, Hefeng Town, Yudu County, also known as Wenfeng Pagoda. It is a hexagonal seven-story pavilion-style earth pagoda, constructed from rammed earth made of lime, clay, and sand, with brick corbel eaves and a gourd-shaped finial. The pagoda is 27 meters tall, with the bottom layer having a side length of 4.52 meters and a thickness of 2 meters. A red stone plaque is embedded on the second floor, inscribed with four large regular script characters “文峦耸秀” (Literary Ridge Soaring Gracefully), written by Fu Jian, the then magistrate of Yudu. The base of the pagoda has a door leading to a hollow interior structure. Originally, there were thirteen staggered horizontal wooden beams inside, most of which have now decayed. According to the Tongzhi Edition of the Yudu County Annals from the Qing Dynasty, this pagoda was built in the second year of the Qianlong reign during the Qing Dynasty (1737).

Zhongbu Pagoda is located in Zhongbu Village, Lu’ao Town, Yudu County, also known as Huilan Pagoda. It is a hexagonal seven-story pavilion-style pagoda, built with rammed earth mixed with lime, clay, and sand, featuring brick corbel eaves. It stands 36 meters tall, with the bottom layer having a side length of 4.3 meters and a thickness of 1.6 meters. A door is located on the northern side of the base floor, and the interior structure is hollow. Originally, each floor had wooden beams and planks, all of which have now decayed. The second floor features arched window openings on the southeast and northwest sides, while the other floors have blind windows. The Tongzhi Edition of the Yudu County Annals records that this pagoda was built in the ninth year of the Qianlong reign (1744).

Shuitou Pagoda is located in Rentou Village, Jingshi Township, Yudu County. It is a hexagonal seven-story pavilion-style pagoda, built with rammed earth mixed with lime, clay, and sand, featuring brick corbel eaves. The corners of the pagoda’s top are adorned with decorative upturned red sandstone wings. It is 19 meters tall, with the base side measuring 2.8 meters and a thickness of 1.2 meters. The base floor has a small door leading to a hollow interior, and each floor has staggered horizontal wooden beams. Starting from the second floor, there are two symmetrical arched windows on each level.

Xiamǎ Pagoda is located in Shikengzi Village, Xianxia Township, Yudu County, also known as Kuǐháo Pagoda. It is a hexagonal five-story pavilion-style pagoda, built with rammed earth mixed with lime, clay, and sand, featuring brick corbel eaves and a domed roof. The finial is shaped like a gourd, and the pagoda stands 20 meters tall, with the base side length of 3.5 meters and a thickness of 1.28 meters. The base floor has a small arched door, and the core is hollow. Each floor has wooden beam frames, most of which have decayed. The third and top floors each have one arched door, and the top floor also features a circular window opposite the door. Additionally, each floor and side is decorated with painted patterns of arched doors or circular windows in red and blue.

Yudu Earth Pagodas are a group of typical feng shui architecture, all built with rammed earth. They are unique among the various materials used in pagoda construction in China and represent a remarkable achievement in ancient Chinese pagoda architecture. On March 9, 2018, they were designated as provincial-level cultural heritage sites by the Jiangxi Provincial People's Government.

Further Reading:

· Sixth Batch of Jiangxi Provincial Cultural Heritage Sites