Baofu Temple Pagoda

Baofu Temple Pagoda

The Baofu Temple Pagoda is a National Key Cultural Relics Protection Unit.

The Song Dynasty Baofu Temple Pagoda is located in the eastern urban area of Qincheng Town. This pagoda is a classic Jiangnan-style pavilion-style Buddhist tower. It was first built in the first year of the Chongning era (1102) during the reign of Emperor Huizong of the Song Dynasty and completed in the fourth year of the Daguan era (1110). The pagoda stands 59.8 meters tall, has seven levels and six sides, and features a unique brick-and-wood structure resembling bamboo joints and steel whips. Its distinctive shape and exquisite craftsmanship not only preserve the legacy of the prosperous Tang Dynasty but also exhibit the typical style of the great Song Dynasty. Visitors can walk around the perimeter gallery and ascend through the wall passages to reach the top, where they can enjoy panoramic views of the surrounding mountains, rivers, and the town’s landscape. The pagoda covers a construction area of 1,982.12 square meters, with the bottom level having an opposite-side diameter of 10 meters, a diagonal diameter of 12 meters, an inner hollow diameter of 2.6 meters, walls 3.7 meters thick, and outer wall edges 5.6 meters long. It tapers slightly with each ascending level, maintaining stability despite its height. Each level has six doors—three open and three closed. Bronze bells hang from the eaves, and when the wind blows, their sound resonates across the town. The northern side of the pagoda walls is straighter while the southern side leans slightly, shifting the center of gravity naturally about 15 degrees to the north. The structure is rigorously designed and exquisitely crafted. Despite more than 800 years of storms, thunder, and earthquakes, it still stands firmly by the river. Many of the bricks bear inscriptions such as “Chongning Ren Year” and “Erected by Monk Daofu,” while the base level also includes the brick mark “Yingke.” Historically, the pagoda suffered damage from warfare three times and underwent two major restorations.

The Baofu Temple Pagoda is a precious piece of classical Chinese architecture, resulting from the Hakka people’s integration of Central Plains culture with the characteristics of Fujian and Guangdong regions. It is a testament to the wisdom of ancient laborers and a national treasure. In 1959, it was designated as a Provincial Cultural Relics Protection Unit by the Jiangxi Provincial People's Committee, and in May 2006, it was announced as a National Key Cultural Relics Protection Unit by the State Council.

Qincheng Town: Qincheng Town is the county seat of Shicheng County, the source of the Gan River, and is known as the “Gateway to Fujian and Guangdong.” It currently administers 27 village committees and 11 neighborhood committees, with a total population of 109,000. The town enjoys significant geographical advantages and a profound cultural heritage, and it is home to the Tongtianzhai Scenic Area, a national 4A-level tourist attraction.

Picturesque rural scenery. Qincheng Town adheres to the construction philosophy of “meticulous planning, refined development, careful management, and exquisite presentation.” Centered on the goals of creating a “neat, beautiful, harmonious, and livable” environment, the town promotes the development of scenic rural areas in a coordinated manner. With investments from EPC projects and poverty alleviation initiatives totaling 110 million yuan, comprehensive improvements have been made... More details about Qincheng Town++