Fenghuang Wenchang Pagoda

Fenghuang Wenchang Pagoda

The Fenghuang Wenchang Pagoda is a cultural heritage protection unit of Shenzhen.

The Fenghuang Wenchang Pagoda was first built in the 21st year of the Jiaqing reign during the Qing Dynasty (1816), located at the western entrance of Lingxia Village. Constructed from blue bricks and standing six stories tall with a height of approximately 20 meters, it is the tallest ancient pagoda still existing within Bao’an District. In September 1984, it was designated by the Shenzhen Municipal Government as part of the second batch of municipal-level cultural heritage protection units.

Origin of the Name “Wenchang Pagoda”: Since most of the villagers in Fenghuang Village are descendants of Wen Tianxiang (a famous hero who resisted the Yuan Dynasty during the late Southern Song Dynasty), they initiated the construction and funding of the pagoda in his honor. They hoped that generations to come would strive for national prosperity, wealth, and strength. Hence, it was named the “Wenchang Pagoda.” Additionally, because the pagoda is situated in the Phoenix Mountain area, it is also called the “Fenghuang Wenchang Pagoda.”

The Wenchang Pagoda stands at the western entrance of Lingxia Village. Its base is hexagonal, and the body is built with blue bricks, consisting of six stories. It was originally built during the Jiaqing reign of the Qing Dynasty with four stories, but during the Tongzhi reign, it was expanded to six stories, making it the tallest ancient pagoda still in existence in Bao’an County. Each floor has a stone plaque or couplet on its door. The pagoda features overlapping eaves without a flat terrace. The base and the lower half of the first floor are constructed from blue hemp stone, while the eaves are built with five layers of diamond-shaped patterns and seven layers of flat bricks stacked and protruding. The front of the first floor has a square door, the second and third floors have arched doors, the fourth and fifth floors feature windows on the front, and the sixth floor has a round window. Each floor has long, narrow windows on the second and sixth sides for light. The top is a six-sided spire. The finial of the pagoda has been damaged by lightning. Originally, each floor had wooden flooring and stairs leading to the top. The pagoda is about twenty meters tall.

The plaques and couplets on the pagoda doors are as follows: The first floor reads “Phoenix Pavilion Facing the Sun”; the second floor reads “Open the Path of Literature,” with the side couplet “Near Dan Mountain, the phoenix soars; Heaven opens the Yellow Path for dragons to fly”; the third floor is “Weaving and Longitude Tower,” with the side couplet “Clouds and winds coil around the Five Ridges, golden walls connect the Three Terraces”; the fourth floor is “Supremacy”; the fifth floor is “Soaring Upward”; the sixth floor is “Colorful Han,” all written in bold relief regular script. The calligraphy is extremely vigorous and powerful.

A stream flows beside the pagoda, winding down and eventually joining the Pearl River. Green banyan trees sway along the stream, creating an exceptionally serene landscape. It is now officially protected by the government as an ancient cultural relic. It is expected to be renovated soon into an even more beautiful and spectacular tourist attraction.

The Fenghuang Pagoda is a representative work of tower architecture in Shenzhen and holds significant cultural heritage value. In September 1984, it was announced by the Shenzhen Municipal People’s Government as a municipal cultural heritage protection unit.