Pearl-Linked Pagoda

　　   Pearl-Linked Pagoda is situated on Wufeng Mountain to the east of Enshi City. The mountain peaks are connected like five continuous beads without interruption, hence also known as Pearl-Linked Peak. A pagoda was built on the first peak of the range, named after the mountain as the Pearl-Linked Pagoda. It was completed in the 11th year of the Daoguang reign (1831) and has a history of over 150 years.

　　   The Pearl-Linked Pagoda is just three kilometers from the city. Its mountain gate is designed in the style of a ceremonial archway. On either side of the gate stand a stone drum and a stone pillar. The inscribed couplet on the pillars reads: “The five peaks rise gracefully, their brilliance shining bright; the six counties are blessed, their glory freshly adorned.” The horizontal plaque above reads “Mountain Radiance and River Charm.” The openwork brick walls on both sides of the pagoda’s gate extend outward, encircling the entire mountaintop to form a perimeter wall. Vines cling to the pagoda’s walls, while lush trees shade the area outside.

　　   The Pearl-Linked Pagoda is even more breathtaking at night. Like a shining pearl standing in the east of Enshi, each floor’s windows glow with brilliant light.

　　   The Pearl-Linked Pagoda is a key cultural relic protection unit of the autonomous prefecture. In 1982, the provincial Department of Culture allocated funds for its restoration. Nowadays, it attracts a continuous stream of visitors, especially during holidays.

　　   The Pearl-Linked Pagoda is an octagonal brick-and-stone structure, covering an area of 250 square meters, with seven stories and a total height of 34.8 meters. Inside, there are 129 spiral stone steps leading from the first to the seventh floor. The steeple is made up of seven large tin beads stacked on top of each other. At each of the eight corners of the pagoda, a statue of a heavenly king or fierce deity is carved, each with a fierce expression, bare chests and exposed bellies, some squatting and others standing, with hands raised upward. Each statue is uniquely crafted, with no two alike. Originally, each floor had eight bronze wind bells, totaling 56 for the seven floors. When the wind blew, the bells would ring loudly, audible to residents in the city and nearby farmers, making it a distinctive cultural feature. Unfortunately, the bells are now gone and have not been restored. The base of the pagoda is carved all around with patterns of sea waves and lotus flowers, symbolizing the Buddhist story of the Buddha being born from a lotus, which in turn was born from the sea.

　　   The arched gate of the pagoda is 4.5 meters high and 2 meters wide. The stone pillars and lintel are carved with patterns and decorations of qilins, dragons, phoenixes, fish, and human figures. An inscription is engraved on the exterior: “Seven levels of solemn dignity overlook the human world and the shifting clouds; five peaks stand majestically, as if painted by heaven to inspire civilization” (composed and inscribed by Wu Shimin, magistrate of Shinan Prefecture, in the 11th year of the Daoguang reign, the year of Xinmao, July). The first floor of the pagoda is the most spacious. Its lower half and foundation are entirely built from massive bluestone slabs. The conical ceiling features vivid floral designs, and the center originally housed a Buddha statue. Stone steps lead from the first to the seventh floor. The higher you go, the narrower and steeper the stairs become. Except for the fifth floor, which has only three doorways, each of the other floors has four arched gates, each 1.8 meters high and 0.6 meters wide, opening to the southeast, northeast, southwest, and northwest, allowing visitors to enjoy distant views. At the center of the seventh floor, a large wooden pillar supports the steeple.

　　   Address: Longshou Mountain Summit, Main Peak of Wufeng Mountain, Enshi City, Enshi Tujia and Miao Autonomous Prefecture (near Liujiaoting Old East Gate)

　　   Type: Viewing Platform

　　   Recommended Visiting Time: 1–2 hours

　　   Opening Hours:

　　   9:00–17:00

　　   Ticket Information:

　　   Gate Price: 10.0 RMB