The 108 Pagodas of Qingtongxia

　　The One Hundred and Eight Pagodas are a complex of pagodas. The exact time of their initial construction is unknown. According to the "Comprehensive Gazetteer of the Great Ming" (Da Ming Yi Tong Zhi), “Between the two mountains at Xiakou… the Yellow River flows between them, also known as Qingtong Gorge, where there are 108 ancient pagodas.” The "Comprehensive Gazetteer of the Great Ming" was compiled during the reign of Emperor Yingzong of Ming, which indicates that the pagoda complex already existed by the mid-15th century. It was referred to as “ancient pagodas” at that time, suggesting that their construction may date back even earlier. The architectural style of the pagodas belongs to the -style stupas that emerged in inland China during the Yuan Dynasty. Therefore, it can be inferred that the pagoda complex was likely first built during the Yuan Dynasty.

　　The pagodas are situated on a very steep mountain slope, oriented west-to-east, backed by mountains and facing the river. They were carved and built along terraces following the contour of the hillside. From top to bottom, they are arranged in twelve rows in odd numbers—1, 3, 5, 7—forming a large equilateral triangular-shaped pagoda complex. They are collectively called the One Hundred and Eight Pagodas due to their number. The base of each pagoda is an octagonal brick Sumeru pedestal, and the structure itself is solid and of the mound-style -pagoda. The exterior is coated with white lime, with a precious bead on the top, closely resembling the white Yuan Dynasty stupa at Beijing's Miaoying Temple. The topmost pagoda is notably larger in size, with each successive level below proportionally smaller. From a distance, the full layout of the pagoda complex can be viewed, aligning well with the principles of perspective drawing. This type of pagoda complex architecture is unique among ancient Chinese pagodas. The number 108 may hold significance related to the 108 dharmakayas of Vairocana mentioned in the Buddhist Esoteric scripture, the Vajrasekhara Sutra. (Source: National Cultural Heritage Administration)