Daguan Pagoda

Daguan Pagoda

Daguan Pagoda is a cultural tourism attraction.

Daguan Pagoda is located on Zhuan yuan Zhou opposite the Jinjiang River in the southern suburbs of the county. Built in the 52nd year of the Qianlong reign during the Qing Dynasty (1788), the pagoda stands 46.53 meters tall, has seven stories and an octagonal shape, with four gates on each level. Its roof hangs over like an inverted cauldron. Constructed from blue bricks, the interior features enclosed corridor passageways, and spiral stone steps lead to the top. During the Jiaqing reign of the Qing Dynasty, when Liu Bing served as magistrate of Shanggao, he kept an eternal flame burning at Daguan Pagoda — “shining upward through the night sky and illuminating the land for miles below,” day and night, guarded by a dedicated attendant. It is said that after the pagoda was built, over time, Shanggao not only saw an increase in successful imperial examination candidates “surpassing previous years,” but also a general rise in the cultural level of its people beyond what it had been before the tower’s construction. Having stood for nearly two hundred years, Daguan Pagoda has endured the test of time and remains solid and intact. On fine spring and autumn days, the pagoda casts slanting shadows in the morning light or evening glow; on misty rainy days, it becomes enveloped in drifting clouds, creating a uniquely charming scene. Since its completion, visitors have come continuously to climb it. Tan Youben, a county magistrate of the Qing Dynasty, composed a poem after visiting Daguan Pagoda: “Daguan Pagoda stands by the flowing Jinjiang River, recalling past visits on festive climbs… ten thousand household towers.” This shows how deeply he was captivated by the view. From the top of Daguan Pagoda, one can gaze into the distance and take in the sweeping views of Aoshan Mountain, the Jinjiang River, the city, villages, and the countryside. The pagoda earned the name “Daguan” (“Great View”) as it offers “a grand view of the entire county.” Today, the main entrance of Daguan Pagoda features a stone plaque inscribed with the three characters “大观塔” (Daguan Pagoda), written by Fan Yuanyang. On August 29, 1983, it was designated as a county-level protected heritage site. Potential development projects include building leisure villas such as Zhuangyuan Zhou Resort near Daguan Pagoda.

Further Reading:

· Sixth Batch of Jiangxi Provincial Cultural Relics Protection Units