Luzhou Baonen Pagoda

Luzhou Baonen Pagoda

Luzhou Baonen Pagoda is a National Key Cultural Relics Protection Unit.

Baonen Pagoda is a Sichuan Provincial Cultural Relics Protection Unit, located in the urban area of Luzhou. Built in the 18th year of the Shaoxing era during the Southern Song Dynasty (1148), it underwent three renovations during the Hongzhi period of the Ming Dynasty, the 4th year of the Guangxu era of the Qing Dynasty, and 1985. The pagoda faces west and is built of brick and stone, featuring a double-eaved, seven-story pavilion-style structure with a total height of 33.2 meters. The pagoda has an octagonal shape, tapering with each level, and features a 107-step spiral corridor through the core leading to the top. Inside the pagoda, there are 90 niches containing 256 high-relief stone carvings with smooth, lifelike figures. The base of the pagoda is octagonal, with each side measuring 4.1 meters. The ground floor is 4.5 meters high, with brick-carved wooden-style brackets under the eaves. The second and third floors feature bird and beast sculptures under the eaves, all well preserved. The pagoda was built by Feng Ji, the Pacification Commissioner of southern Luzhou, to honor his mother.

Baonen Pagoda is a Sichuan Provincial Cultural Relics Protection Unit. It is located in the urban area of Luzhou. Built in the 18th year of the Shaoxing era during the Southern Song Dynasty (1148), it underwent three renovations during the Hongzhi period of the Ming Dynasty, the 4th year of the Guangxu era of the Qing Dynasty, and 1985. The pagoda faces west and is built of brick and stone, featuring a double-eaved, seven-story pavilion-style structure with a total height of 33.2 meters. The pagoda has an octagonal shape, tapering with each level, and features a 107-step spiral corridor through the core...

...leading to the top. Inside the pagoda, there are 90 niches containing 256 high-relief stone carvings with smooth, lifelike figures. The base of the pagoda is octagonal, with each side measuring 4.1 meters. The ground floor is 4.5 meters high, with brick-carved wooden-style brackets under the eaves. The second and third floors feature bird and beast sculptures under the eaves, all well preserved. The pagoda is located in the center of the city and offers a tranquil retreat amid the bustle. The surrounding area has been developed into a public square of 28,000 square meters, funded by an investment of 41 million yuan. Luzhou Baonen Pagoda, situated in the city center, was built during the 18th year of the Shaoxing era of the Southern Song Dynasty (1146), and underwent renovations in the Hongzhi period of the Ming Dynasty and the 4th year of the Guangxu era of the Qing Dynasty. It faces west, is built of brick and stone, and features a double-eaved, seven-story pavilion-style structure with a total height of 33.2 meters. The entire structure is white, topped with a basalt capital and a bronze spire. Its octagonal body tapers with each ascending level, and a 107-step spiral corridor leads to the top through the core. Inside are 90 niches with 256 high-relief stone carvings. The base is octagonal, each side 4.1 meters in length, and the ground floor is 4.5 meters high with imitation wooden brackets under the eaves. The first floor has an area of 81.2 square meters. The second and third floors also have bird and beast sculptures preserved under the eaves. It underwent renovations in 1983, 1985, and 2001. Between 2000 and 2001, the dilapidated buildings around the pagoda were demolished, the pagoda itself was refurbished, night lighting was installed, the surrounding plaza and green space were expanded, and a musical fountain was added. It has since become a prominent cultural landmark in the downtown area as well as a popular venue for public events and leisure activities. At night, the illuminated pagoda looks brilliantly translucent and spectacular. In April 1991, it was designated as a Sichuan Provincial Cultural Relics Protection Unit by the People’s Government of Sichuan Province.

Baonen Pagoda is a Sichuan Provincial Cultural Relics Protection Unit, located in the urban area of Luzhou, commonly known as the White Pagoda. During the Southern Song Dynasty, Ma Ji, the Pacification Commissioner of Luzhou, found his elderly mother among a group of beggars and built this pagoda in the 18th year of the Shaoxing era (1148) in her honor. It underwent renovations in the Hongzhi period of the Ming Dynasty, the 4th year of the Guangxu era of the Qing Dynasty, and 1985. The pagoda faces west, is built of brick and stone, and features a double-eaved, seven-story pavilion-style structure standing 33.2 meters tall. The octagonal body tapers with each ascending level and has seven tiers of double eaves; the second tier is adorned with sculpted beasts, while the seventh tier features gilded copper statues of muscular figures. A 107-step spiral path leads to the top through the core. Inside, 90 niches contain 256 high-relief stone carvings with fluid, realistic figures. The base is octagonal, 4.1 meters per side. The ground floor is 4.5 meters high with imitation wooden brackets under the eaves. The second and third floors have intact weight-bearing bird and beast sculptures under the eaves. The centuries-old pagoda, located in the city center, offers a peaceful haven within the urban bustle. The surrounding area has been turned into a 28,000-square-meter plaza with an investment of 41 million yuan. An internal spiral staircase shaped like the Chinese character “之” (meaning "to go") leads to the top, offering panoramic views of the Yangtze and Tuo Rivers. The “White Pagoda and Morning Glow” is one of Luzhou’s iconic scenic views.

According to records, in his youth, Feng Ji became separated from his mother. Later, after he was appointed Pacification Commissioner of southern Luzhou, he searched for her to no avail. On his birthday, a crowd of beggars gathered outside the government office asking for food. One blind old woman sighed, “Today is also my son’s birthday—if he were here, I wouldn’t be in this state.” After hearing this, Feng invited her inside, asked whether her son had any distinguishing marks, and the old woman replied, “My son was a conjoined twin. We were separated by the knife—my brother died, but I survived. My surviving son has a long scar on his arm.” Upon hearing this, Feng Ji bowed down, wept, and recognized her as his mother. He then knelt down and used his tongue to touch his mother’s eyes—which restored her sight. Later, he built this pagoda to repay his mother’s kindness.

Protected Area: To the east, up to the stone steps of Zhiliang Temple outside the pagoda’s base; to the west, south, and north, up to 10 meters from the outer edge of the pagoda base.

Address: North of Baita Square, Jiangyang District, Luzhou City, Sichuan Province

Type: Historic Site / Ancient Pagoda

Recommended Visit Duration: About 1 hour

Further Reading:

· Seventh batch of National Key Cultural Relics Protection Units