The White Pagoda of Shengde Temple in Jianyang

The White Pagoda of Shengde Temple in Jianyang

The White Pagoda of Shengde Temple in Jianyang is a National Key Cultural Relics Protection Unit.

The White Pagoda of Shengde Temple in Jianyang is located one kilometer south of Jianyang city. It was initially constructed in the summer of 1197 during the third year of the Qingyuan era under Emperor Ningzong of the Song Dynasty and completed in the autumn of 1202 during the second year of the Jiatai era. The pagoda stands 37.9 meters tall and features a brick-and-stone imitation wood structure, a four-sided spire top, and thirteen tiers of closely stacked eaves. External architectural features: its square floor plan and its placement along the central axis of the temple still retain the style of the Tang Dynasty; the base, which is as high as five meters, is rare in China; although the pagoda has a closely stacked eave style, its shape imitates a pavilion-style tower; the third tier features eight exquisitely designed and delicate hip-and-gable roofs on all four sides, and the seventh tier includes two dagoba towers — designs that are unique to China. Internal structural features: the pagoda has four levels inside, with a double-layer cross-section. The inner layer forms the central chamber, the outer layer consists of thick walls, and a corridor is sandwiched between them. A stone staircase is placed within the corridor, arranged in a “climbing inward along the wall” structure. Each level contains variously shaped and sized niches, brackets, and caisson ceilings, with interlocking corbel arches arranged in an orderly fashion. Over a hundred murals of Buddhist figures painted by Song Dynasty artists remain on the walls of the corridor. These murals feature skilled brushwork, vibrant colors, and a strong sense of three-dimensionality. Whether in terms of line drawing or color gradation, they all carry the charm of the Tang Dynasty. The "Complete Library in Four Branches of Literature" refers to this pagoda as the “literary brush of the state,” and it has long been celebrated as the “Pagoda Soaring Above the Clouds,” ranking first among the Eight Scenic Spots of Jianyang.

Protection zone: 50 meters beyond the base of the pagoda.

Construction control area: 200 meters beyond the protection zone.

Address: Jiancheng Town, Jianyang City, Sichuan Province

Further reading:

· Sixth Batch of National Key Cultural Relics Protection Units