Su Gong Pagoda

　　   It is also known by the local Uyghur people as the “Turpan Pagoda.” At the entrance of the pagoda, there is a stone stele preserved from the time of its construction. Both sides of the stele are inscribed with the reasons for building the pagoda, written in both Uyghur and Chinese. The pagoda was built by the Turpan Prince, Sulaiman II, in memory of and to honor the achievements of his father, Emin Hoja. Construction began in the Islamic year 1181 (1779 AD, the 44th year of the Qianlong reign in the Qing Dynasty). Emin Hoja was a descendant of the King of Lukchun, born in 1694 in Halakho. He was a ruler and religious leader in the Turpan region and was granted the title of “Jasak” by the Qing government for his efforts in safeguarding national unity. He made remarkable contributions during the campaigns to suppress the Dzungar and the Big and Small Hoja rebellions, and was successively appointed as Auxiliary Duke in the 11th year of the Yongzheng reign (1733) and as Supporting Duke in the 21st year of the Qianlong reign (1756). In the 23rd year of the Qianlong reign (1758), he was conferred the rank of a prince by the Qing government, and was officially titled as a prince the following year.

　　   The body of Su Gong Pagoda is cylindrical, standing 37 meters tall with a base diameter of 10 meters. It is entirely built of bricks and adorned with various decorative patterns on the exterior, including diamond grids, mountain motifs, wave patterns, and stylized four-petal floral designs—totaling 15 different types—all traditional Uyghur patterns that are both elegant and pleasing to the eye. The pagoda has 14 windows built at varying directions and heights. The top of the pagoda is shaped like a helmet, and inside there are 72 layers of spiral stairs, allowing visitors to climb up to the top. There is no wood used in the structure; the entire weight of the pagoda is supported by a single central brick pillar built in a spiral shape. According to local Uyghur legend, Su Gong Pagoda was designed and built by the Qing Dynasty Uyghur master architect Ibrahim and others, featuring typical Uyghur architectural characteristics. (National Cultural Heritage Administration)