Wanquei Pagoda

Wanquei Pagoda

Wanquei Pagoda is a cultural relic protection unit of Jiangxi Province.

Wanquei Pagoda is situated on Jinshi Mountain, about 10 kilometers northwest of Fuzhou City. It is a majestic and spectacular ancient pagoda and the only preserved ancient pagoda in Linchuan. Originally built during the Ming Dynasty's Wanli era (1610), the pagoda's top collapsed in the 44th year of the Qing Qianlong reign (1779), leading to extensive erosion. It was later repaired in the 19th year of the Daoguang reign (1839), which helped preserve this ancient structure. It is among the first batch of municipal-level cultural relic protection units in Fuzhou City and is also a provincial-level cultural relic protection unit of Jiangxi Province.

The pagoda has six sides and seven tiers, with flying eaves on each level. It stands 41.58 meters tall and has a girth of 31.68 meters. Its edges are well-proportioned, and the tiers are clearly defined, resembling an inverted steel halberd. The base is constructed from red hemp-slab stones, and on the southern side of the second tier is embedded a bluish-green stone plaque inscribed with the three characters “Wan Quei Ta” (Wanquei Pagoda). The body of the pagoda is built from blue bricks, giving it a simple and classic elegance.

Inside the pagoda, there are two spiral staircases—one ascending on the left and the other descending on the right—that do not intersect, leading up to the fifth tier. Above the fifth tier is an open platform where visitors can enjoy panoramic views of the Fu River and the scenic landscape of Fuzhou’s “Yangcheng.” The pagoda’s top is round and inlaid with copper plates, adding a radiant touch. Between each tier, there is a slightly arched gateway. The exterior features blue-brick eaves, and the top is adorned with six beast-like eagle beak ornaments, naturally exuding a dignified presence. From the top, one can gaze upon the shimmering Fu River, the scattered villages, the vast fields of fertile farmland, and the picturesque city of Fuzhou—a truly breathtaking sight that lifts the spirit.

As for the origins of Wanquei Pagoda, local legend says it was built to subdue a river demon. During the Ming Wanli era, Zhaoxian Township (now Zhanping Township) suffered frequent floods from the Lin and Ru rivers, bringing great suffering to the people. A wandering Taoist passing through Shigang Village claimed that a mischievous river turtle monster was the cause—the turtle’s head lay on the east bank of the river and its tail on the west bank, and every five years it would flip over, turning Shigang into a vast ocean. Unable to bear the suffering of the villagers, the Taoist suggested building a pagoda to suppress the turtle monster so it could not flip over, thereby sparing the people from flood disasters. The locals thus raised funds to build this river-subduing pagoda, and since then, Shigang Village has been free from flooding.

According to the Linchuan County Annals, the pagoda was initiated in the Wanli era (1610) of the Ming Dynasty by Zhu Rurong, the prefect of Fuzhou. It was said that “the Ru and Lin rivers converge at the sacred Jinshi Terrace (now Jinshi Mountain in Zhanping Township), and erecting a memorial pillar here could promote cultural prosperity and gather auspicious energy. After the completion of this pagoda, Linchuan produced numerous loyal and learned scholars throughout the ages, too many to count, hence it is also called ‘Wanquei Pagoda’ (Pagoda of Ten Thousand Talents).”

The value of Wanquei Pagoda lies not only in its long history, but also in its representative features of Linchuan architecture such as its brick-and-stone structure, flying eaves, and ornamental designs. More remarkably, the pagoda’s ingenious structure and spiral staircases are designed so that two people walking toward each other from the bottom and the top respectively will never cross paths—an enduring mystery to this day.

The historical, artistic, and scientific value of Wanquei Pagoda is rare even within China. Historical records indicate that Juxing Pagoda in Nancheng County, built six years after Wanquei Pagoda, was modeled after it.

Wanquei Pagoda is the oldest and best-preserved Ming Dynasty pagoda in Fuzhou to date. Along with “Yanta” in Guangchang County, “Juxing Pagoda” in Nancheng County, and “Ying’en Pagoda” in Yihuang County, it is ranked as one of the Four Famous Pagodas of Linchuan.

Further Reading:

· Fifth Batch of Jiangxi Provincial Cultural Relic Protection Units

· Four Famous Pagodas of Linchuan