Pujiao Temple Pagoda

Pujiao Temple Pagoda

Pujiao Temple Pagoda is a National Key Cultural Relics Protection Unit.

Pujiao Temple Pagoda

Pujiao Temple Pagoda (First Batch of Provincial-Level Protected Sites)

Era: Ming Dynasty

Location: 12 km northwest of Yongji City proper, at the northern end of Xixiang Village, Puzhou Town

Located in the western part of Pujiao Temple in Yongji City. Originally a stupa, it is the source material for the Tang Dynasty vernacular tale "The Story of Yingying" and the renowned play "Romance of the Western Chamber." Built during the Sui or Tang Dynasties, it underwent renovations in the second year of the Xiande era of the Later Zhou Dynasty (955 AD) and during the Song and Yuan periods. In the 43rd year of the Jiajing era of the Ming Dynasty (1564 AD), it was rebuilt under the advocacy of Zhang Jiayin, the magistrate of Puzhou. It is the only remaining structure from the temple prior to its large-scale restoration.

The pagoda is situated at the rear western side of the temple. It has a square floor plan, 13 stories, and is approximately 50 meters tall. It is a brick pagoda of pavilion style imitating the Tang architectural aesthetic. The eaves of each level protrude in a stacked fashion with straightforward lines, without forming a distinct inward-curving reverse curve. Levels one through six have greater spacing between them, with a gentle tapering that preserves an echo of Tang style. From the seventh level upward, the spacing between levels suddenly decreases, and the taper becomes steep, creating a style completely different from the lower section. The interior of the pagoda is hollow, and when stones are struck, the echo resonates loudly, resembling the croak of a frog.

From 1986 to 1988, restoration work was carried out on the buildings of Pujiao Temple.

On October 7, 2019, Pujiao Temple Pagoda was included in the eighth batch of National Key Cultural Relics Protection Units.

Further Reading:

· First Batch of Shanxi Provincial Cultural Relics Protection Units

· Eighth Batch of National Key Cultural Relics Protection Units