Red Hill Pagoda

Red Hill Pagoda

The Red Hill Pagoda is a cultural relic protection unit in Xinjiang.

The Red Hill Pagoda is a nine-story solid gray brick "Dragon-Suppressing Treasure Pagoda." Standing 10.5 meters tall, it is an octagonal pavilion-style nine-level gray solid brick pagoda. The lower three stories are sturdy, while the upper levels gradually taper inward. The pagoda is crowned with an octagonal spire. Having withstood over 200 years of wind and rain without damage, the Red Hill Pagoda has become the spiritual symbol of Red Hill and adds an air of mystery to Urumqi's iconic landmarks.

Red Hill is located in the center of Urumqi and gets its name from its reddish-brown hue. With an elevation of 910 meters, the hill features steep cliffs and a majestic presence, resembling a giant dragon lying horizontally from east to west, with its lofty head reaching toward the river. Owing to its prominent location and striking terrain, it has become a symbol of Urumqi.

Built atop Red Hill, Red Hill Park is a rare mountain park in China, covering an area of 506,000 square meters. The hill features 18 scenic spots, and its beautiful environment is truly enchanting. It is a popular spot for photography enthusiasts. From the highest point of the hill, one can enjoy a panoramic view of Urumqi’s urban landscape, with its forest of high-rises and bustling traffic.

At the summit of Red Hill stands a towering pagoda — the famous Red Hill Pagoda of Urumqi. The pagoda is 10.6 meters tall and is a six-sided nine-story solid gray brick structure. Originally built in the 53rd year of the Qianlong Emperor’s reign (1788), it has a history of over 200 years. Despite having endured numerous earthquakes and storms, it remains intact to this day and is considered a unique treasure of Urumqi.

The Red Hill Pagoda consists of three parts: the base, the body, and the finial, totaling nine levels with a hexagonal floor plan. It boasts an elegant design and is built to be quite sturdy, making it the only Qing Dynasty structure on Red Hill. Compared to ancient pagodas in other regions, the Red Hill Pagoda does not have a very long history, so it is not as widely known nationally. However, it is quite famous within Urumqi.

Historically, the Urumqi River at the foot of Red Hill suffered from frequent flooding, which people attributed to the mischief of a ferocious dragon. As a result, the then Xinjiang regional commander Shang’an built a Dragon-Suppressing Treasure Pagoda on Red Hill to subdue the dragon and ensure favorable weather and prosperity for the city. More than 200 years have passed, and both the Dragon-Suppressing Treasure Pagoda and Urumqi remain — with the city growing more prosperous than ever.