Monkey Pagoda

Monkey Pagoda

The Monkey Pagoda is a cultural tourism attraction.

Shaoyang City has a Monkey Pagoda, which used to be rather unremarkable. In earlier years, houses were generally low-rise, typically one or two stories high, making the Monkey Pagoda stand out more. However, in recent years, with densely packed buildings and towering skyscrapers, the Monkey Pagoda has been almost forgotten.

The Monkey Pagoda is perched on a small hill behind Jiujingwan. Small and exquisite, it is built of brick and stone. Atop the pagoda sits a marble-carved monkey about 70 centimeters tall and 30 centimeters wide. The monkey’s features are distinct, and its lifelike posture—resting its chin on its paw while gazing into the distance—looks endearingly simple and honest. The pagoda itself stands 15 meters tall, has seven stories, and is solid inside.

In ancient times, the construction of the Monkey Pagoda symbolized good fortune, expressing wishes for the safety and prosperity of loved ones far away. People hoped they would thrive in business, enjoy wealth and wellness, and return home safely. The pagoda was first built in the 39th year of the Qianlong reign during the Qing Dynasty (1774 AD), but was later destroyed in warfare. It was rebuilt in the 3rd year of the Xianfeng reign (1853 AD). Stone tablets embedded in the pagoda document the details of its reconstruction.